Thread by @DouayRheims1

ST SYMPHORIAN OF AUTUN, MARTYR - 22nd AUGUST

~thread~
1. St Symphorian was the son of Faustus, of a noble Christian family, and suffered at Autun in Gaul, in the reign of Marcus Aurelius.

He had been baptised by St Benignus,
#StSymphorian #EarlyChurch #Christians #Christian

2. and was remarkable for his modesty, prudence, charity, and the innocence of his manners.

For refusing to pay public homage to the pagan idols, carried before Heraclius, governor of the province.

Heraclius, being seated on his tribunal, asked him
#RomanEmpire #Christianity

3. why he refused to adore the gods.

He answered, because he was a Christian, and adored the true God who reigneth in heaven. Heraclius commanded him to be cruelly beaten with clubs, and sent him to prison.

Two days after, he was brought out of his dark dungeon, and presented

4. before the tribunal. Heraclius courted him by proffers of preferment, but Symphorian declined.

At length the judge condemned him to die by the sword. He heard the sentence with joy. As he was carried out of the town to execution, his mother cried out to him: "Fear not death

5. which leads to certain life." He was beheaded on August 22, 178. Some religious persons carried away his body privately, and buried it.

His tomb became famous for miracles, and in the middle of the fifth century Euphronius, a priest, afterwards bishop of Autun,

6. built over it a church. [St Symphorian is patron saint against eye problems, against syphilis, of students and of the city of Autun.] (Excerpts from Fr Butler's "Lives of the Saints")

#students #Autun #ENGvPAK #eyesight