heart, by which we seek
every trifling pretense to exempt us from the duty of aiding the
unfortunate? Remember the threat of the apostle, "Judgment without mercy
to him that hath not done mercy" (_James_ ii. 13).

_Prayer of the Church_

O GOD, who rejoicest us by the remembrance of Thy blessed martyrs
Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus; grant, we beseech Thee, that we, by
celebrating their memory, may imitate their fortitude in suffering.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

IX

St. Achatius, Martyr

LEGEND

OF THE saints named Achatius, that one is reckoned among the Holy
Helpers who, as a Roman soldier, died for Christ.

Achatius was a native of Cappadocia and as a youth joined the Roman army
during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, attaining the rank of captain. One
day, when leading his company against the enemy, he heard a voice saying
to him, "Call on the God of Christians!" He obeyed, was instructed, and
received Baptism. Filled with zeal, he henceforth sought to convert also
the pagan soldiers of the army. When the emperor heard of this, Achatius
was thrown into prison, then placed on the rack, bound to a post and
scourged, because he refused to offer sacrifice to the idols. When all
these tortures availed nothing, he was brought before the tribune
Bibianus.

Asked by him what was his name and country, Achatius replied, "My name
is Christian, because I am a follower of Christ; men call me Achatius.
My country is Cappadocia. There my parents lived; there I was converted
to the Christian faith, and was so inspired by the combats and
sufferings of the Christian martyrs that I am resolved to shed my blood
for Christ to attain heaven." Then Bibianus ordered him to be beaten
with leaden clubs, after which he was loaded with chains and returned to
the prison.

After Achatius had been in prison seven days, Bibianus was called to
Byzantium, and ordered all prisoners to be transported there. On the
journey Achatius suffered greatly, for his entire body was covered with
wounds, his chains were galling, the guards were cruel and the roads
were bad. He thought himself dying. Praying to God, a voice from the
clouds answered him, "Achatius, be firm!" The soldiers of the guard were
terrified and asked each other, "What is this? How can the clouds have a
voice?" Many prisoners were converted. Next day some of the converts saw
a number of men in shining armor speaking to Achatius, washing his
wounds and healing them, so tha