In 526, St. John I, pope and martyr. He was a friend of Boethius (October 23). Elected pope, he sought to promote the union of East and West. Theodoric the Goth, the Arian ruler of Italy, sent him to Constantinople to bring an end to the persecution of Arians in the Eastern Empire. John’s mission was mostly successful, but Theodoric, fearing a conspiracy, executed Boethius and imprisoned John, who died.
In 1160, St. Eric of Sweden, king and martyr. After consolidating the place of Christianity in Sweden, he tried to spread Christianity in Finland. On the feast of the Ascension he went to Mass in Uppsala. From the church he went out with a few men to meet a large force of Danish soldiers, who killed him.
Our daily martyrology was written by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB. Copyright © 2008 by the Monastery of the Ascension, Jerome, ID 83338.
