Saint Benedict of Aniane was responsible for a revival of Frankish monasticism in VIII/IX Centuries. He was the scion of a noble Visigoth family and served as cupbearer to Pepin III and Charlemagne before becoming a monk c. 770/773 at St.-Seine near Dijon. Benedict became a hermit on his family estate and lived on the banks of the Aniane, where several other solitaries joined him. Benedict...

Gregory II was born c. 669. Pope St. Gregory II was the scion of a noble Roman family. Under Sergius I, Gregory was the librarian and the keeper of the purse; he accompanied Pope Constantine when the pope traveled to Constantinople to protest the anti-western canons of the Second Trullan (or Quintisext) Council (692). Successful, the two returned to Rome in 711. Gregory was elected to the...

Saint Baptus of Magnesia, also known as Bapto, Baptos, Dauktos, or Dauto, is remembered as an inspiring witness to the Christian faith during a period of intense persecution. Little is known about his early life, but historical records indicate that he lived in Magnesia, Asia Minor, during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus. Saint Baptus was not initially a Christian, but his life took a...

Saint Apollonia of Alexandria, also known as Apolline of Alexandria, was a consecrated virgin and deaconess who lived during the third century. She was a prominent figure among the local Christian community in Alexandria, Egypt. During this time, an anti-Christian uprising was sparked by a pagan prophecy, resulting in a violent mob that targeted Christians. Apollonia, being recognized as a...

  Saint Laureatus of Rome, also known as Laureatus of Castelpoto, was a Catholic saint who was martyred during the persecutions of Valerian in the mid-3rd century. Little is known about Saint Laureatus' early life, but he is believed to have been born in Rome, Italy. He lived during a time when Christians faced intense persecution, especially under the reign of Emperor Valerian....