For some reason, our saint of the day today was extremely popular in early England, though most people today have probably not heard of him. He is St Pancras, and we read about him in the book In Caelo et in Terra.
What we do know is that he and his uncle traveled to Rome during the reign of the emperor Diocletian. He and his uncle became Christians, which was not a popular thing to do under that particular emperor. They were summarily martyred. St Pancras was only 14 years old at the time.
His youth and martyrdom made him particularly popular in early England, and several people including a pope and St Augustine of Canterbury named churches after him. The oldest church in England that is still practicing the Christian faith is named for St Pancras.
You can read more about him here.
For some reason (again), we also tend to swear oaths, particularly in court, on St Pancras. So many people have solemnly told the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in court due to their respect and devotion to St Pancras.
What will your name be known for one day? Every day we decide the answer to that question.
God, thanks for the example of this young man, about whom we know little except that he stood strong in his young faith to the point of death. St Pancras, pray for us.
1 comment:
Amen
Post a Comment