On 24th July 2008 we remember...

St Boris and Gleb.
Died 1015. ~ Boris was given the name Romanus at his baptism in Kiev where he was born, but for reasons not known, he is referred to Boris. He was the son of St Vladimir of Kiev and brother of Svyatopolk and Gleb. Boris became aware that his elder brother, Svyatopolk was devising a plan to cheat him out of his inheritance when their father died. As Boris was a Christian and a peaceful man, he did not want to use force to claim his right. He therefore left to find an isolated place so he could pray. A gang of his brother’s supporters tracked him down and killed him with a sword. Gleb, Boris’ brother who was baptised David, was also hunted and killed. Another brother called Yaroslav located the bodies of his two brothers and buried them in St Basil’s church in Vyshgorod. Soon after miracles started to occur at the graves and it became a site for pilgrims. Boris is the patron saint of Moscow.

St Christina of Bolsena.
3rd C. ~ Three saints named Christina share this same feast day. Christina of Bolsena was born into a Roman, pagan family, but she became a Christian as a young girl. After breaking all her father’s statues and images in his house, her enraged father threw her into a lake with a rock around her neck. She managed to survive being drowned, but again more attempts on her life were made. Her tongue was cut out and she emerged unscathed after being locked in a furnace for five days. The magistrate ordered her to be killed by arrows. It is most probable that a young girl named Christina was martyred at this time, but some of the incidents in her life are over-exaggerated or confused with another Christina, of Tyre whose events in her life are very similar.

St Christina of Tyre.
Date unknown ~ The story of Christina’s life is from folklore passed down through the years. It is said she was born in Tyre, Lebanon and was baptised a Christian. Because of her religion, she was arrested and ordered to pay homage to the pagan gods. Her mother pleaded with her to agree in order to save her life, but she refused and suffered atrocious tortures. Amazingly, she recovered from her ordeal, but still refusing to give up her faith, she was executed by being shot in the heart by an arrow.

St Christina the Astonishing.
1150-1224. ~ Christina was born in Brusthem in Belgium. Her parents both died while Christina was only a child of three. It is not clear who brought her up, but at twenty-one she suffered what was thought to be an epileptic fit and to the bystanders she appeared dead, when suddenly she rose up to the sky and came to rest on the church roof, while Mass was being celebrated inside. This astonishing action, which gave rise to her name, was really unexplainable. The priest came out and told her to come down immediately, which she did. She later related her experience and said she had gone to hell, purgatory and finally, heaven, before returning to the earth. She was told that everyone must pray for the Holy Souls in purgatory to help them reach heaven.
As described, Christina was an extraordinary person and she made great effort to avoid contact with other human beings as she said she did not like the smell of them. She wished to be alone at all times and did her best to prevent meeting people. There were reportings of her gliding up into trees, roofs and even hiding in cupboards and ovens. The strict life she lived was totally self-inflicted. She lived in bare harsh surroundings and poverty, when she could have lived in comfort. Her behaviour made many people think she was insane, while others marvelled at her piety. Christina died in St Catherine’s convent at Saint-Trond in France.

St Declan.
6th C. ~ An Irishman, born in Desi in Waterford, Declan was believed to have been baptised by St Colman and he became a follower of the saint as he travelled around preaching. Declan went on at least two pilgrimages to Rome in his lifetime and he was appointed bishop of Ardmore.

St John Boste.
1544-1594. ~ An Englishman, born in Westmorland, John attended Queen’s college, Oxford University and it was while he was there he became a Catholic. He studied for the priesthood in Rheims, France and once ordained, returned to England to work in the missions. He was situated in the north of England. John became a wanted man after he was betrayed by Francis Ecclesfield from Durham. John was captured and put in prison in London and had to endure severe tortures, which left him permanently crippled. Taken back to Durham, he was sentenced to be executed for being a priest. His execution took place in Durham. He was canonised in 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

St Lewina.
Date unknown. ~ The little known facts of Lewina’s life came from untrustworthy origins, but in 1058, Lewina’s bones were discovered while excavating in a churchyard in Seaford, Sussex. The bones of St Idelberga were being “translated” (name given to the movement a saint’s relics from one place to another) to the church of St Winnoc’s in Bergues and this is when Lewina remains were found. It was then that her story came to light and after some research, it was discovered she was British and probably martyred by a mob of barbarian Saxons.

Please join with us in our prayer for today...