(ABOUT A.D. 760.)
[Roman Martyrology and Greek Menology. Authority:--The Acts of S.
Stephen the junior (Nov. 28th).]
In the furious persecution waged by Constantine Copronymus against
images and those who reverenced them, Paul, a Cypriot, was brought
before the governor of that island, Theophanes Lardotyrus, and was
ordered to choose whether he would stamp on a crucifix laid before him,
or suffer torture on the rack. In answer, he stooped and kissed the
image of his Master, saying, "Far be it from me, Lord Jesus Christ,
only begotten Son of God, to trample on Thy sacred representation." He
was at once stripped, pressed between two boards, his body torn with
iron combs, and then hung head downwards over a fire, which was heaped
about him, till he was consumed.
[Illustration: Portion of a Monstrance.]
March 18.
S. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL.
S. ALEXANDER, _M.B. of Jerusalem_, A.D. 250.
SS. TEN THOUSAND MARTYRS, _at Nicomedia, 4th cent._
SS. TROPHIMUS AND EUCARPUS, _MM. at Nicomedia, circ._ A.D. 300.
SS. NARCISSUS, _B.M._, AND FELIX, _D.M. at Gerona, beginning of
4th cent._
S. CYRIL, _Patr. of Jerusalem_, A.D. 389.
S. FRIGIDIAN OR FINNIAN, _B. of Lucca_, A.D. 589.
S. TETRICUS, _B. of Langres_, A.D. 572.
S. EDWARD, _K.M. in England_, A.D. 978.
S. ANSELM, _B. of Lucca_, A.D. 1086.