Day: January 19, 2025

Saint of the Day – 19 January – Saint Germanicus of Smyrna (Died 2nd Century) Martyr, disciple amd student of St Polycarp who wrote of him: “Devoted to God with all his soul, he subdued the animosity of the unbelievers by the strength of his faith.” Born at Smyrna (in modern Turkey) and diedin the mid 2nd Century, by being torn apart by animals during public games in Smyrna (in modern Turkey).

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Smyrna, under Marcus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius, the birthday of blessed Germanicus, Martyr, who in the bloom of youth, being strengthened by the grace of God and freed from all fear, provoked the beast which by order of the Judge, was to devour him. Being ground by its teeth, he deserved to be incorporated into the True Bread of Life, Christ Jesus, for Whom he died.”

Germanicus is one of the eleven Christians of Philadelphia, whose Martyrdom in Smyrna immediately preceded that of St Polycarp and indeed, he is the only one of them whose name has survived.

A very authoritative source, the Martyrium St Polycarp, speaks of him more generally in Chapters 1-2 and 19 and in particular in Chapter 3.

Here is the short text:
“The devil plotted many snares against the Christians but thanks be to God, he did not succeed in prevailing over all of them. In fact, the very strong Germanicus, strengthened their weakness with his constancy and he too, gloriously faced the test of the wild beasts. When the Proconsul tried to persuade him to have consideration for his young age, he instead incited and provoked the beast against himself, wishing to free himself as quickly as possible, from the unjust and iniquitous world.”

The same document then, in affirming that, among the twelve Martyrs of Smyrna, Polycarp “is the only one to be remembered by all” suggests that when it was written, there was no cult of the eleven Martyrs of Philadelphia. Today we remember the one name we have on 19 January.

Sts Marius and Family of Perisa – Martha, Audifax, Abacjum (Died c270 – Martyrs, Husband, Wife and 2 Sons – in the time of Emperor Claudius.
Including:
St Abachum of Persia + (St Marius and Family of Persia – Martyrs)
St Audifax of Persia + (St Marius and Family of Persia – Martyrs)
St Martha of Persia + (St Marius and Family of Persia – Martyrs)
Their Lives and Deaths:
https://anastpaul.com/2023/01/19/saints-of-the-day-19-january-st-marius-and-family-martha-audifax-abacjum-died-c-270-martyrs/

St Canute (1040-1086) Martyr, King of Denmark, known as Canutus the Holy – Canutus was an ambitious King who sought to strengthen the Danish monarchy, devotedly supported the Roman Catholic Church and had designs on the English throne. Slain by rebels in 1086, he was the first Danish King to be Canonised. He was recognised as Patron Saint of Denmark in 1101.
Biography:
https://anastpaul.com/2019/01/19/saint-of-the-day-19-january-st-canutus-1040-1086/

Bl Andrew of Peschiera
St Arsenius of Corfu

St Bassian of Lodi (c320–c409) Archbishop, Penitent, Miracle-worker. St Bassian was a close of friend of St Ambrose and St Felix of Como.
About St Bassian:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/01/19/saint-of-day-19-january-st-bassian-of-lodi-c-320-c-413/

Bl Beatrix of Lens
St Branwallader of Jersey
St Catellus of Castellammare
St Contentius
Bl Elisabetta Berti
St Faustina of Como
St Fillan
St Firminus of Gabales
St Germanicus of Smyrna (Died 2nd Century) Martyr
St Godone of Novalesa
St John of Ravenna
St Joseph Sebastian Pelczar
St Liberata of Como

St Lomer of Corbion (Died 593) Abbot of the Monastery he founded at Corbion near Chartres, friend of animals, Miracle-worker.
St Lomer’s Devout Life:
https://anastpaul.com/2024/01/19/saint-of-the-day-19-january-saint-lomer-of-corbion-died-593-abbot/

St Messalina iof Foligno
St Ponziano of Spoleto
St Remigius of Rouen

St Wulstan (c1008–1095) Bishop of Worcester , England, from 1062 to 1095, Monk, Prior, a man of extreme holiness and penitence who was admired by all, he was a man of iron will, immense charm and unworldly humility and piety and suffered no luxury, preferring always the poor to himself.
A Life to Imitate:
https://anastpaul.com/2021/01/19/saint-of-the-day-19-january-saint-wulfstan-c-1008-1095/

Martyrs of Numidia – 9 Saints: A group of Christians Martryred together for their faith. The only details to survive are nine of their names – Catus, Germana, Gerontius, Januarius, Julius, Paul, Pia, Saturninus and Successus. 2nd century Numidia in North Africa.

Martyrs of Carthage – 39 Christians Martyred together in Carthage, date unknown. We have no information about them except 9 of the names – Catus, Germana, Gerontius, Januarius, Julius, Paul, Pia, Saturninus and Successus.
Died IN Carthage, North Africa (modern Tunis, Tunisia).