Saints of 26 February

St Nestor of Perge

At Pergen, in Pamphylia, during the persecution of Decius, the birthday of the blessed bishop Nestor, who, praying night and day for the preservation of the flock of Christ, was put under arrest. As he confessed the name of the Lord with great joy and freedom, he was most cruelly tortured on the rack, by order of the governor Pollio, and still courageously proclaiming that he would ever remain faithful to Christ, he was suspended on a cross; and thus triumphantly went to heaven.

Ss. Papias, Diodorus, Conon, and Claudian

In the same place, the passion of Saints Papias, Diodorus, Conon, and Claudian, who preceded St. Nestor to martyrdom.

Ss. Fortunatus, Felix

Also, the holy martyrs Fortunatus, Felix, and twenty-seven others.

St Alexander of Alexandria

At Alexandria, the bishop St. Alexander, an aged man held in great honor, who succeeded blessed Peter as bishop of that city. He expelled from the Church Arius, one of his priests, tainted with heretical impiety, and convicted by divine truth, and subsequently was one of the three hundred and eighteen Fathers who condemned him in the Council of Nicaea.

St Faustinian of Bologna

At Bologna, the bishop St. Faustinian, whose preaching strengthened and multiplied the faithful of that Church, which had been much afflicted during the persecution of Diocletian.

St Porphyry, bishop (Gaza)

At Gaza, in Palestine, in the time of the emperor Arcadius, St. Porphyry, bishop, who overthrew the idol Marnas and its temple, and after many sufferings, went to rest in the Lord.

St Andrew of Florence

At Florence, St. Andrew, bishop and confessor.

St Victor, confessor

In the territory of Arcis, St. Victor, confessor, whose enlogy was written by St. Bernard.