ent he expired in the year 424. The Roman
Martyrology places his name on the 31st of March.

* * * * *

St. Ephrem, considering the heroic constancy of the martyrs, makes on
them the following pious reflections: "The wisdom of philosophers, and
the eloquence of the greatest orators, are dumb through amazement, when
they contemplate the wonderful spectacle and glorious actions of the
martyrs: the tyrants and judges were not able to express their
astonishment when they beheld the faith, the constancy, and the
cheerfulness of these holy champions. What excuse shall we have in the
dreadful day of judgment, if we who have never been exposed to any cruel
persecutions, or to the violence of such torments, shall have neglected
the love of God and the care of a spiritual life? No temptations, no
torments, were able to draw them from that love which they bore to God:
but we, living in rest and delights, refuse to love our most merciful
and gracious Lord. What shall we do in that day of terror, when the
martyrs of Christ, standing with confidence near his throne, shall show
the marks of their wounds? What shall we then show? Shall we present a
lively faith? true charity towards God? a perfect disengagement of our
affections from earthly things? souls freed from the tyranny of the
passions? silence and recollection? meekness? alms-deeds? prayers poured
forth with clean hearts? compunction, watchings, tears? Happy shall he
be whom such good works shall attend. He will be the partner of the
martyrs, and, supported by the treasure of these virtues, shall appear
with equal confidence before Christ and his angels. We entreat you, O
most holy martyrs, who cheerfully suffered most cruel torments for God
our Saviour and his love, on which account you are now most intimately
and familiarly united to him, that you pray to the Lord for us miserable
sinners, covered with filth, that he infuse into us the grace of Christ,
that it may enlighten our souls that we may love him, &c."[1]

Footnotes:
1. St. Ephrem. Hom. In SS. Martyres. t. 3. Op. Gr. et Lat. p. 251. ed
Vatic. an. 1746.

{683}

ST. ACACIUS, OR ACHATES, BISHOP OF ANTIOCH IN ASIA MINOR, C.

ST. ACACIUS was bishop of Antioch, probably the town of that name in
Phrygia, where the Marcionites were numerous. He was surnamed
Agathangel, or Good-angel, and extremely respected by the people for his
sanctity. It was owing to his zeal that not one of his