Saint of the Day – 19 July – St Pope Symmachus (Died 514) Bishop of Rome from 22 November 498 until his death. Born in Sardinia and died in Rome, both in modern Italy.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Rome, Pope St Symmachus, who for a long time had much to bear from a faction of schismatics. At last, distinguished by Holiness, he went to God.”
Mosaic of St Symmachus in the Apse of the Church of Saint Agnes Outside the Walls
Symmachus was a native of Sardinia and a convert to Christianity, He entered religious life and became the Archdeacon of the Roman Church under Pope Anastasius II, whom he succeeded in November 498.
His reign is remembered chiefly for what has usually been called the Laurentian schism, named for his rival Laurentius, the Archpriest of Santa Prassede, who had been elected as the anti-pope by his supporters. For close to ten years (for some of which he actually occupied the Lateran Palace while Symmachus operated from an Episcopal residence on the Vatican Hill.
During his Papacy, Symmachus erected the round Chapel dedicated to St Andrew next to the old St Peter’s and a Basilica over the graveof St Pancras in the Cemetery of Octavilla. He built several or restored, several Churches.
Symmachus expenditure was immense in support of the Church in Vandal-ruled and officially Arian north-west Africa. His grant of the Pallium to Archbishop St Honorius of Arles, is the earliest known instance of such an award outside of Italy.
Symmachus died on 19 July 514 and was buried in St Peter’s Basilica. He had ruled for 15 years, 7 months,and 27 days.
St Ambrose Autpertus Bl Antonio of Valladolid St Aurea of Cordoba
St Arsenius (c354-c 449) Deacon, Hermit, Desert Father, Theologian, writer. Arsenius one of the most highly regarded of the Desert Fathers, whose teachings were greatly influential on the development of asceticism and the contemplative life. His contemporaries so admired him as to surname him “the Great”. His Life of Oblation to God: https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/19/saint-of-the-day-19-july-saint-arsenius-the-great-c-354-c-449/
St Macrina the Younger (c327-379) Virgin, Ascetic. With charm and grace, St Macrina ruled the roost in a family of saints. St Basil the Elder and St Emmelia, her parents, had ten children including the younger St Basil the Great (329-379) Father and Doctor of the Church, St Gregory of Nyssa (c 335–C 395) Father of the Church and St Peter of Sebaste Bishop (c 340–391). As the eldest child, Macrina exercised a formative influence on her more famous brothers and even on her mother. Her Holy Life: https://anastpaul.com/2019/07/19/saint-of-the-day-19-july-saint-macrina-the-younger-c-327-379/
St Martin of Trier St Michael the Sabaitè Bl Pascasio of Lyon
Martyrs of Meros – 3 Saints: Three Christians tortured and Martyred together in the persecutions of emperor Julian the Apostate and governor Almachio. We know nothing else about them but the names – Macedoniuis, Tatian and Theodule. They were burned to death on an iron grill in Meros, Phrygia (in modern Turkey).
Martyrs of China: 3 Beati: Beatified on 17 April 1955 by Pope Pius XII. Elisabeth Qin Bianshi Elisabeth Ioannes Baptista Zhu Wurui Simon Qin Chunfu
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