Agathonicus
Life and witness
At Nicomedia, the passion of the Saints Agathonicus, Zoticus, and their fellow-martyrs, under Maximian, emperor, and Eutholomius, president.
The Lives Of The Saints: Volume 09, August · SS. Agathonicus and Companions, MM. in Bithynia ; circ.
SS. Agathonicus and Companions, MM. in Bithynia ; circ. a.d. 303.
S. Gunifortis, M. at Pavia.
S. Timothy, M. at Rome ; circ. a.d. 311.
S. Sigfrid, Ab, of Wear mouth 1 a.d. 689 (see Jan. 11, p. 173).
S. SYMPHORIAN, M.
(a.d. 180.)
[Roman and Gallican Martyrologies. Usuardus, Ado, &c. Martyrology of S. Jerome. Authority : — The ancient authentic Acts.]
AINT SYMPHORIAN was the son of Faustus, of a noble Christian family, living at Autun in Gaul. He had been baptized by S. Benignus, and was in the bloom of life when the Emperor Marcus Aurelius began his persecution of the Church.
On a certain day the image of Berecynth was being carried in procession through the city, when Symphorian refused to bow his knee as it passed. He was seized by the mob, and brought before Heraclius, the governor of the pro- vince, who happened then to be at Autun. Heraclius asked Symphorian why he refused to kneel to the image of the Mother of the Gods. “ I am a Christian,” answered the young man, “and I adore no images. Give me a hammer, and I will make short work of Berecynth.”
“ The fellow,” said Heraclius, “ seems to me to be not only sacrilegious towards the immortal gods, but to be
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August 22.] S- Symphorian. 231
Martyrologium Romanum · Latin witness
Nicomediae passio sanctorum Agathonici, Zotici et Sociorum Martyrum, sub Maximiano Imperatore et Eutolmio Praeside.