According to the ‘passio’ of Valerian, he was St. Cecilia’s husband and converted by her, he was Baptised by St Pope Urban I (222-230) and in his turn he converted his brother, Tiburtius to Christianity. Both were sentenced to death by the Prefect Almachius, who entrusted them to the Adjutant (second-in-command of the Prefect) who, before having the sentence carried out, also...

The Martyrs of Dorostorum, also known as Dadas, Maximus, and Quinctillianus, were individuals who dedicated their lives to their faith and were martyred together during the persecutions under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Little is known about their background or personal lives, but we do know that they were all connected through their roles as lector and students. Dadas served as a lector, a...

Saint Zeno of Verona, also known as Zen, Zenón, Zénon, or Zenone, was born around the year 300 in Mauretania, which is near Algiers in North Africa. He lived during a time of great religious conflict and instability within the Christian Church. Zeno became renowned as the Bishop of Verona, Italy, serving in this role from 362 until his death on April 12, 371. His profile as a bishop and...

Saint Barsanuphius of Gaza, also known as Barsanofio, was a hermit who lived in absolute seclusion near the monastery of Saint Seridon of Gaza, Palestine, for 50 years. He was born in the 6th century and little information is known about his early life. Barsanuphius gained recognition for his writings against Origenists, a Christian sect that followed the teachings of Origen of Alexandria,...

Saint Maddalena of Canossa, also known as Saint Magdalena Gabriela Canossa, was born on March 1, 1774, in Verona, Italy. She was one of five children born into a wealthy and renowned family. Unfortunately, tragedy struck at an early age when her father passed away, and her mother abandoned the children to be raised by a governess. Maddalena's early years were marked by a strong...