(3RD CENT.)
[Roman Martyrology and Greek Menæa. Authority:--The account in the
Menæa.]
[Illustration: DEATH OF S. JOSEPH.
March 19.]
Pancharius, a young Christian, well-favoured, and active, having gained
the favour of the emperor Maximian, became his secretary. His mother
and sister, hearing this, were filled with anxiety lest his soul
should be imperilled. They therefore wrote to him a letter urging him
not to be ashamed of Christ, and to remember that it profits a man
little to gain the whole world if he lose his own soul. On reading
this letter, Pancharius was moved, and lifting up his voice he prayed
to God, "Have mercy upon me, Almighty God, and bring not thy servant
to confusion in the face of men and angels, but according to thy
great mercy, spare me." Some one overheard this prayer, and told the
emperor that his favourite was a Nazarene. The emperor sent for him
and asked him if this were true. Then the young man confessed that he
was. The emperor urged him to renounce his religion. But as Pancharius
refused, he ordered him to be scourged, and sent to Nicomedia to be
tried and sentenced by the governor. At Nicomedia he was subjected to
fresh interrogation, but maintaining his constancy, was condemned to
execution by the sword.