Commemoration of Saints (March 2)

Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration

• Chad of Lichfield, abbot and bishop

St. Chad of Lichfield (d. ca. 672 A.D.) became abbot of Lastingham upon the death of his brother. He was consecrated bishop of the Northumbrians by a bishop and two other coconsecrators who were considered simoniacal [1]. Theodore, the archbishop of Canterbury, refused to recognize Chad's consecration. St. Chad yielded to Archbishop Theodore's judgment, saying:

"If you consider that I have not been properly ordained, I gladly resign. I never thought myself worthy of the office and agreed to undertake it, though unworthy, only under obedience."

St. Chad then retired to his abbacy at Lastingham.

Impressed by Chad's humility, Archbishop Theodore had Chad reconsecrated for Lichfield. Chad then built a small place where he could pray and read with seven or eight other monks; he also built a monastery in his diocese.

Chad died in 672 A.D. Venerated as a saint after his death from a plague, his relics were later transferred to the Church of St. Peter on the site presently occupied by Lichfield Cathedral. Miracles were reported from his relics in the shrine. [2]

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [March 2]

• St. Theodotus, Priest-Martyr

St. Theodotus (d. ca. 304 A.D.) was raised by a Christian woman named Thecusa and when of age, became an innkeeper at Ancrya, Galatia. During the persecution of Christians under Diocletian he helped imprisoned Christians. Thecusa and six other Christian women were arrested and paraded naked in an open chariot because they refused to wear the robes of pagan priestesses and join a pagan festival. When they continually refused they were sentenced to death by drowning. Theodotus recovered their bodies for a proper Christian burial but he was betrayed by an apostate. He was sentenced to death, tortured and beheaded. Fronto, the local priest, came to the city, recovered Theodotus' lifeless body, and sent it to the town of Malus, where a chapel was built to enshrine it. [3]

References: Books, Websites & AI Search Results

• [1] In the Catholic Church, "simony" refers to the act of buying or selling spiritual things, like church offices or sacred items, essentially considered a grave sin; the term originates from the biblical story of Simon Magus who attempted to purchase the power to bestow the Holy Spirit from the apostles, offering money in exchange for this spiritual gift. AI Overview, response to "simony in the catholic church", Google.com, March 2, 2025
• [2] Lives of the Saints, Richard P. McBrien
• [3] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney