[Salvation]

Readings

"To you has been granted in Christ's behalf not only that you should believe in him but also that you should suffer for him."

Vincent had received both these gifts and held them as his own. For how could he have them if he had not received them? And he displayed his faith in what he said, his endurance in what he suffered.

No one ought to be confident in his own strength when he undergoes temptation. For whenever we endure evils courageously, our long-suffering comes from him Christ.

He once said to his disciples: "In this world you will suffer persecution," and then, to allay their fears, he added, "but rest assured, I have conquered the world."

There is no need to wonder then, my dearly beloved brothers, that Vincent conquered in him who conquered the world. It offers temptation to lead us astray; it strikes terror into us to break out spirit.

Hence if our personal pleasures do not hold us captive, and if we are not frightened by brutality, then the world is overcome. At both of these approaches Christ rushes to our aid, and the Christian is not conquered.

from a sermon by Saint Augustine of Hippo

[Salvation]

Vincent of Saragossa

Born: unknown

Died: c.304

Canonized:

Feast Day: January 22

Patron Saint of: vintners, winegrowers

Vincent of Saragossa is the earliest known Spanish martyr. It is said that he was brought to trial by the governor Dacian along with his bishop Valerius, and that since Valerius had a speech impediment, Vincent spoke for both. His fearless manner so angered Dacian that Vincent was horribly tortured and killed; his aged bishop was only exiled.

As the legend goes, Vincent's corpse was thrown into a bog to be torn apart by wild, hungry animals. Witnesses say that a bird, a raven, protected the saint's remains fighting off all of the beasts that dared to try to feast.

 

[Kolokotronis]

In the Orthodox Church, his memory is celebrated on November 11.

"As godly-minded athletes and Martyrs who strove for piety, the Church doth honour and glorify this day the godly contests and travails of Minas the prizewinner, noble Victor, brave Vincent, and valiant Stephanie, and lovingly doth cry out and glorify Christ, the Friend of man. " - Kontakion of Sts. Minas, Victor, Vincent and Stephanie

[vox_freedom]

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