Subj : August 12th - St Euplius of Catania, Sicily To : All From : rich Date : Sat Aug 11 2018 10:13:59 From: rich August 12th - St Euplius of Catania, Sicily Also known as Euplio, Euplius Memorial 12 August 11 August (Synaxary of Constantinople; Byzantine-rite calendars) 27 August on some calendars On August 12, 304 A.D., during the persecution of Diocletian at Catania, in Sicily, a deacon named Euplius was arrested for owning and reading a copy of the Gospels. He had been reading and explaining the Gospels to a gathered crowd. He was brought to the governor's hall= ... He staunchly professed his faith. Standing on the outside of the curtain of the governor's audience chamber, Euplius cried out: =E2= =80=9CI am a Christian, and shall rejoice to die for the name of Jesus Christ.=E2=80= =9D The governor, Calvisian, heard him and ordered that he who had made that outcry should be brought in, and presented before him. With the Book of the Gospels, Euplius was led before the governor. Maximus, a friend of the governor's who was present, said to Euplius, =E2=80= =9CYou ought not to keep such writings, contrary to the edicts of the emperors.=E2=80=9D The governor queried Euplius whether he brought the text from his house, or carried them about with him. Euplius replied he had no house and carried the Scripture with him at all times. =E2=80=9CBut why,= =E2=80=9D said the judge, =E2=80=9Cdid you not give up those writings as the emperors have commanded?=E2=80=9D =E2=80=9CBecause I am a Christian. I will sooner = die than deliver them. In them is eternal life, which is lost by him who would betray what God has entrusted to his keeping.=E2=80=9D Euplius was commanded to read from the Scriptures. The saint read the passage: =E2=80=9CBlest are they who suffer persecution for justice=E2=80= =99s sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.=E2=80=9D (Mt 5:10) Euplius then read = the passage: =E2=80=9CIf anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself and ta= ke up his cross and follow Me.=E2=80=9D (Mt 16:24/Lk 9:23) Questioned by the governor as to what this meant, the youth replied: =E2=80=9CIt is the law of my Lord, which has been delivered to me.=E2=80=9D= Calvisian asked: =E2=80=9CBy whom?=E2=80=9D Euplius replied: =E2=80=9CBy Jesus Christ= , the Son of the Living God.=E2=80=9D This infuriated the governor, and he ordered that Eupl= ius be led away to be tortured. At the height of his torment Euplius was asked if he still persisted in Christianity. The saintly youth answered: =E2=80=9CWhat I said before, I say again: I am a Christian and I read the Sacred Scriptures.=E2=80=9D The martyr said, while he was torment= ed: =E2=80=9CI thank You, O Lord Jesus Christ, that I suffer for Your sake: sav= e me, I beseech You.=E2=80=9D Calvisianus said: =E2=80=9CLay aside your folly; adore our gods, and you sh= all be set free.=E2=80=9D Euplius answered: =E2=80=9CI adore Jesus Christ; I de= test the devils. Do what you please; add new torments; for I am a Christian. I have long desired to be in the condition in which I now am.=E2=80=9D After = the executioners had tormented him a long time, Calvisianus bade them desist, and said: =E2=80=9CWretch, adore the gods; worship Mars, Apollo, an= d =C3=86sculapius.=E2=80=9D Euplius replied: =E2=80=9CI adore the Father, Son= , and Holy Ghost. I worship the Holy Trinity, besides whom there is no God.=E2=80=9D Calvisianus said: =E2=80=9CSacrifice, if you would be delivered.=E2=80=9D E= uplius answered: =E2=80=9CI sacrifice myself now to Jesus Christ, my God. All your efforts to move me are to no purpose. I am a Christian.=E2=80=9D Then Calvisianus gave orders for increasing his torments. While the executioners were exerting their utmost in tormenting him, Euplius prayed: =E2=80=9CI thank You, my God; Jesus Christ, succor me. It i= s for your name's sake that I endure these torments.=E2=80=9D This he= repeated several times. When his strength failed him, his lips were seen still to move, the martyr continuing the same or the like prayer with his lips when he could no longer do it with his voice. The governor realized that he would never give up his faith, and ordered him to be beheaded. The executioners hung the book of the Gospels, which the martyr had with him when he was seized, about his neck, and the public crier proclaimed before him: =E2=80=9CThis is Euplius the Christian, an enemy to = the gods and the emperors.=E2=80=9D Euplius continued very cheerful, and repeat= ed as he went: =E2=80=9CI give thanks to Jesus Christ, my God. Confirm, O Lord= , what You have begun in me.=E2=80=9D When he had come to the place of execution, he prayed a long time on his knees, and once more returning thanks, presented his neck to the executioner, who cut off his head. The Christians carried off his body, embalmed and buried it. St. Euplius died April 29, 305 praising God all the while. --By Matthew Saint Quote: =E2=80=9CA man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil.=E2=80=9D --St Dominic Bible Quote:n There is one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you that you judge your neighbor? [James 4:12] RSVCE Reverse your relation with sickness "Take up your bed. Carry the very mat that once carried you. Change places, so that what was the proof of your sickness may now give testimony to your soundness. Your bed of pain becomes the sign of healing, its very weight the measure of the strength that has been restored to you." by Peter Chrysologus (400-450 AD)(excerpt from HOMILY 50.6) <><><><> Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us in our misery the grace to do for You alone what we know You want us to do and always to desire what pleases You. Thus, inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footprints of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And, by Your grace alone, may we make our way to You, Most High, Who live and rule in perfect Trinity and simple Unity and are glorified God all-powerful forever and ever. Amen. --from =E2=80=98A Letter to the Entire Order' Francis and Clare: The Complete Works. Regis J. Armstrong, OFM CAP. and Ignatius C. Brady, OFM --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2 * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4) .