Subj : August 8th - St. Hormisdas, Martyr To : All From : rich Date : Mon Aug 07 2017 09:59:34 From: rich August 8th - St. Hormisdas, Martyr c. 420 ISDEGERDES, king of Persia, renewed the persecution which Cosroes II. had raised against the church, the occasion being the burning down of a Mazdaean temple by a priest. This unhappy man, who brought so much distress on the faithful, was constrained to admit that persuasion and not violence is the only Christian method, but this did not mollify the anger of the king. It is not easy, says Theodoret, to describe or express the cruelties which were then invented against the disciples of Christ. Some were flayed alive, others had the skin torn from off their backs only, others off their faces from the forehead to the chin. Some were stuck all over with reeds split in two, and appeared like porcupines; then these reeds were forcibly plucked out, so as to bring off the skin with them. Some were bound hands and feet, and in that condition thrown into great vaults which were filled with hungry rats, mice, or other such vermin, which gnawed and devoured them by degrees, without their being able to defend themselves. Nevertheless, these cruelties hindered not the Christians from running with joy to meet death, that they might gain eternal life. Isdegerdes dying, the persecution was carried on by his son Varanes; and Hormisdas was one of the most illustrious victims of his tyranny and malice. He was of the chief nobility among the Persians, son to the governor of a province, and of the race of the Achemenides. Varanes sent for him, and commanded him to renounce Jesus Christ. Hormisdas answered him: =E2=80=9CThat this would offend God, and transgress the laws of charity and justice; that whoever dares to violate the supreme law of the sovereign Lord of all things, would more easily betray his king, who is only a mortal man. If the latter be a crime deserving the worst of deaths, what must it be to renounce the God of the universe?=E2=80=9D The king was enraged at th= is wise and just answer, and caused him to be deprived of his office, honours, and goods, and even stripped of his very clothes, except a small piece of linen that went round his waist; and ordered him in this naked condition to drive and look after the camels of the army. A long time after, the king, looking out of his chamber window, saw Hormisdas all sunburnt, and covered with dust, and calling to mind his former dignity and riches, and the high station of his father, sent for him, ordered a shirt to be given him, and said to him: =E2=80=9CNow at least lay aside thy obstinacy, and renounce the carpenter's son.=E2= =80=9D The saint transported with holy zeal, tore the shirt or tunic, [1] and threw it away, saying: =E2=80=9CIf you thought that I should so easily be tempted to abandon the law of God, keep your fine present with your impiety.=E2=80=9D The king, incensed at his boldness, banished him again wi= th indignation from his presence. St. Hormisdas happily finished his course; and is named in the Roman Martyrology. The same tyrant, when Suenes, a nobleman of Persia, who was master of 1000 slaves, was inflexible in the profession of his faith, asked him which was the meanest and vilest among all his slaves, and to him that was named he gave all the rest, and Suenes himself, and his wife. The confessor still continued firm in the faith. See the Acta Sanctorum, August, vol. ii, where the passage of Theodoret, bk v, ch. 39, is quoted at length. See also Assemani, Bibliotheca orientalis, vol. iii, pt 2, p. 384. There seems to be a reference to this St. Hormisdas in the Martyrology of Rabban Sliba on September 1 for which cf. the Analecta Bollandiana, vol. xxvii (1908), p. 193 . Note 1. The Orientals have in all ages used light silk or linen tunics in hot weather; but the ordinary use of linen shirts is a very modern, though most convenient custom. Dr. Arbuthnot had reason to say that Julius C=C3=A6sar had neither a shirt to his back, nor glass to his windows. (Tr. On Coins and Measures.) Reflection: =E2=80=9CCompunction of heart,=E2=80=9D says Saint Bernard, =E2= =80=9Cis a treasure infinitely to be desired, and an unspeakable gladness to the heart. It is healing to the soul; it is remission of sins; it brings back the Holy Spirit into the humble and loving heart.=E2=80=9D Saint Quote: We must nourish a great love for God and our neighbors; a strong love, an ardent love, a love that burns away imperfections, a love that gently bears an act of impatience, or a bitter word, a love that lets an inadvertence or act of neglect pass without comment, a love that lends itself readily to an act of charity. -- Blessed Mary Elizabeth Hesselblad <><><><> Few Love the Cross of Jesus (3) If a man give all his wealth, it is nothing; if he do great penance, it is little; if he gain all knowledge, he is still far afield; if he have great virtue and much ardent devotion, he still lacks a great deal, and especially, the one thing that is most necessary to him. What is this one thing? That leaving all, he forsake himself, completely renounce himself, and give up all private affections. Then, when he has done all that he knows ought to be done, let him consider it as nothing, let him make little of what may be considered great; let him in all honesty call himself an unprofitable servant. For truth itself has said: =E2=80=9CWhen you shall have done all these things that are commanded yo= u, say: =E2=80=98we are unprofitable servants.'=E2=80=9D (Luke 17:10). Then he will be truly poor and stripped in spirit, and with the prophet may say: =E2=80=9CI am alone and poor.=E2=80=9D (Ps. 24:16.) No one, however, is more wealthy than such a man; no one is more powerful, no one freer than he who knows how to leave all things and think of himself as the least of all. --Thomas =C3 Kempis --Imitation of Christ Book 2, Chapter 11 --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .