January 1

St. Concordius, Martyr

(c. A.D. 178)

A SUBDEACON who, in the reign of Marcus Aurelius, was apprehended in the desert, and brought before Torquatus, governor of Umbria, then residing at Spoleto. The martyr, paying no regard to promises or threats, in the first interrogatory was beaten with clubs, and in the second was stretched on the rack, but in the height of his torments he cheerfully sang, “Glory be to thee, Lord Jesus!” Three days after, two soldiers were sent by Torquatus to behead him in the dungeon, unless he would offer sacrifice to an idol, which a priest who accompanied them carried with him for this purpose. The saint showed his indignation by spitting upon the idol, upon which one of the soldiers struck off his head.

Saint Concordius, pray for us.

Sanctus Concordius, ora pro nobis.

From Butler’s Lives of the Saints Complete Edition