Feast of Saint Zeno of Nicomedia
(d. 303 A.D.)
St. Zeno of Nicomedia was a Roman soldier and commander living in Nicomedia (modern-day Turkey) during the reign of Roman Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. During their fierce persecution of the Church they were condemning many Christians to death, including any soldiers who professed faith in Jesus Christ. In Nicomedia alone, as many as 20,000 Christians were burned alive as they gathered inside a cathedral on Christmas Day. Standing nearby when the Emperor was offering a sacrifice to a Roman deity, St. Zeno, a Christian, mocked his devotion to a soulless god. St. Zeno was immediately seized and put to death, giving him a martyr’s crown. St. Zeno’s feast day is December 22nd.
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Through such glorious achievements of the holy martyrs with which the Church blossoms everywhere, we are ourselves proving to our own eyes how true are the words we have been singing that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. For it is precious both in our sight and in the sight of him in whose name the death took place.”
From a sermon by Saint Augustine
Follow the saints because those who follow them will become saints.”
Saint Clement I, pope
Saint Zeno of Nicomedia, MARTYR, pray for us.
Be not afraid! And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always. Holy Family pray for us. Amen.
