t not even a scar remained.

Arrived in Byzantium the saint was again cast into prison, and after
seven days dragged before the judge. When neither promises nor the most
cruel torments shook the constancy of the brave confessor of the Faith,
the judge sent him to Flaccius, the proconsul of Thracia, who imprisoned
him for five days, and meanwhile read the records of his former trials.
Then he ordered him to be beheaded. Achatius suffered death for Christ
on May 8, 311.

LESSON

ACHATIUS manfully and without fear confessed the Faith amid persecutions
and sufferings. We, too, are often placed in circumstances where the
profession of our Faith and the practice of the virtues inculcated by it
cause us trials. But so deplorable are the effects of sensuality,
avarice, and ambition, and such is the laxity and spiritual callousness
of many Christians, that there is real cause for every one to be filled
with alarm for the safety of his soul. It is not the crowd we are to
follow, but the precepts of the Gospel. Therefore we ought to strive to
give a good example by our faithful compliance with the demands of
religion. For Our Lord Himself exhorts us: "So let your light shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father,
who is in heaven" (_Matt._ v. 16).

_Prayer of the Church_

O GOD, who dost give us joy through the remembrance of Thy blessed
martyrs, Achatius and his companions; grant, we beseech Thee, that we
may be inflamed by the example of those for whose merits we rejoice.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

X

St. Eustachius, Martyr

LEGEND

AT THE beginning of the second century, during the reign of Emperor
Trajan, there lived in Rome a famous general by the name of Placidus,
who was distinguished among his fellow-citizens for his wealth and
military prowess. It happened one day, that while following the chase he
became separated from his companions, and was pursuing with eagerness a
stag of extraordinary size, when suddenly it turned toward him, and he
beheld raised aloft between its antlers the image of Jesus Christ
suspended on the cross. At the same time our blessed Saviour addressed
him in loving words, inviting him henceforth to follow Him by embracing
the Christian faith, and to make eternal life in future the object of
his pursuit.

Faithful to the grace which he had received, Placidus on his return home
communicated the heavenly vision to his wife Tatiana, who informed him