(ABOUT 175.)
[S. Concord is mentioned in all the Latin Martyrologies. His
festival is celebrated at Bispal, in the diocese of Gerona, in
Spain, where his body is said to be preserved, on the 2nd Jan. His
translation is commemorated on the 4th July. The following is an
abridgment of his genuine Acts.]
In the reign of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, there raged a violent
persecution in the city of Rome. At that time there dwelt in Rome a
sub-deacon, named Concordius, whose father was priest of S. Pastor's,
Cordianus by name. Concord was brought up by his father in the fear of
God, and in the study of Holy Scripture, and he was consecrated
sub-deacon by S. Pius, Bishop of Rome. Concord and his father fasted and
prayed, and served the Lord instantly in the person of His poor. When
the persecution waxed sore, said Concord to his father, "My lord, send
me away, I pray thee, to S. Eutyches, that I may dwell with him a few
days, until this tyranny be overpast." His father answered, "My son, it
is better to stay here that we may be crowned." But Concord said, "Let
me go, that I may be crowned where Christ shall bid me be crowned." Then
his father sent him away, and Eutyches received him with great joy. With
him Concord dwelt for a season, fervent in prayer. And many sick came to
them, and were healed in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then, hearing the fame of them, Torquatus, governor of Umbria, residing
at Spoleto, sent and had Concord brought before him. To him he said,
"What is thy name?" He answered, "I am a Christian." Then, said the
Governor, "I asked concerning thee, and not about thy Christ." S.
Concord replied, "I have said that I am a Christian, and Christ I
confess." The Governor ordered: "Sacrifice to the immortal gods, and I
will be to thee a father, and will obtain for thee favour at the hands
of the Emperor, and he will exalt thee to be priest of the gods." S.
Concord said, "Harken unto me, and sacrifice to the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt escape eternal misery." Then the governor ordered him to
be beaten with clubs, and to be cast into prison.
Then, at night, there came to him the blessed Eutyches, with S.
Anthymius, the bishop; for Anthymius was a friend of the governor; and
he obtained permission of Torquatus to take Concord home with him for a
few days. And during these days he ordained him priest, and they watched
together in prayer.
And after a time, the governor sent and brought him before him once more
and said to him, "What hast thou decided on for thy salvation?" Then
Concord said, "Christ is my salvation, to whom daily I offer the
sacrifice of praise." Then he was condemned to be hung upon the little
horse; and, with a glad countenance, he cried, "Glory be to Thee, Lord
Jesus Christ!"
After this torment he was cast into prison, with irons on his hands and
neck. And blessed Concord began to sing praise to God in his dungeon,
and he said, "Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace to men of good
will." Then, that same night, the angel of the Lord stood by him, and
said, "Fear not to play the man, I shall be with thee."
And when three days had passed, the governor sent two of his officers,
at night, to him with a small image of Jupiter. And they said, "Hear
what the governor has ordered; sacrifice to Jupiter or lose thy head."
Then the blessed Concord spat in the face of the idol, and said, "Glory
be to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ." Then one of the officers smote off his
head in the prison. Afterwards, two clerks and certain religious men
carried away his body, and buried it not far from the city of Spoleto,
where many waters flow forth.