Commemoration of Saints (March 11)

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

• Constantine, martyr
• Sophronius, bishop
• Vindician, bishop
• Benedict Crispus, bishop
• Oengus, abbot and bishop
• Eulogius of Cordova, martyr
• Aurea, virgin
• Teresa Margaret Redi, virgin [1]

St. Oengus or Aengus (d. ca. 824 A.D.) was from a noble family in Ulster, Ireland. He entered a monastery in Leix and became one of the most learned men in Ireland in his time. His desire for solitude led him to retire to a cell a few miles from the monastery, but his asceticism and spiritual practices attracted so many visitors. He was thus forced to leave that cell.

After the Clonenagh monastery in Leix, Oengus entered the monastery of Tallaght without revealing his identity. He worked as a servant. When the abbot, Maelruain, learned of who he was, the abbot insisted that he assume a rightful place of honor because of his great learning. When Maelruain passed away in 787 A.D., St. Oengus returned to the monastery where he began - at Clonenagh in Leix. He became abbot and then was later consecrated as a bishop. He retired to Dysartbeagh, or Dysartenos, where he died on March 11.

St. Oengus or Aengus is often called "the Culdec or Culdee" (God's Vassal) for his writings. Of his writings, he is known for the Felire - a metrical hymn to the saints. It was also a register of saints and their feast days, written in the vernacular [2][3][4]

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [March 11]

• Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem [2]

Today, March 11, St. Sophronius (d. ca. 638 A.D.), Patriarch of Jerusalem, Bishop, is commemorated in the Catholic Church and in the Byzantine Calendar of the Eastern Orthodox Churches. Before he became Patriarch of Jerusalem, he was a monk and a theologian.

He wrote much:

• composed a Florilegium ("Anthology") of some 600 texts from the Early Church Fathers
• an Encomium on the Alexandrian martyrs Cyrus and John in gratitude for the cure of his failing vision
• 23 Anacreontic (classical metre) poems
• the Life of St. Mary of Egypt

According to the Passion of the 60 Martyrs of Gaza, Sophronius was executed for baptising Muslim converts. This may have been after he was forced to flee Jerusalem (when the Saracens captured the city in 638 A.D.) and went to Alexandria where he may have died or executed [5][6].

References: Books, Websites & AI Search Results

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney
• [3] Dysartbeagh, Wikipedia.org
• [4] Oengus of Tallaght, Wikipedia.org
• [5] Sophronius of Jerusalem, Wikipedia.org
• [6] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem: Music CD

"Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, Healing Worship" from the City of David with Paul Wilbur

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem is a music CD which any charismatic music afficionado will appreciate. It is worship music and the style of presentation is majestic and magnificent. The choir's rendition is inspiring and uplifting.

A brief introduction

The music CD is lively worship music with prayer for the peace of Jerusalem as its subject and theme. The cover design of the music CD shows an Israeli soldier praying before the wailing wall with a rifle dangling behind his back. And under the title, "Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem", is found a dove presented in a flash of white light passing through. In the background of both these subjects is the city of Jerusalem populated by soldiers.

The lyrics of the song

Since the songs are an occasion to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, much of the lyrics and words of the songs are in Hebrew. But the songs are not really in pure Hebrew. It is a combination of both Hebrew and English lyrics. The effect of this combination brings you into an atmosphere of Jewish religious culture.

The titles of the songs

• Introit
• Blessed Are You
• Let the Weight of Your Glory Fall
• For Your Name Is Holy
• Baruch Haba (Blessed Is He Who Comes)
• Ma Tovu (O How Good)
• In Your Presence O God
• Prayer For The Peace Of Jerusalem (Musical
  Underscore)
• Shalom Jerusalem
• Kadosh
• Show Me Your Face
• Even So
• Lord Take Up Your Holy Throne

A quote from the CD

This is a quote from the back cover of the music CD. I quote it here to signify the importance of praying for peace in Jerusalem.

"Significant for the times, Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem contains passionate songs of prayer that reveal a longing for the return of the Messiah and peace for Jerusalem. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. - [Psalm 122:6]"

Commemoration of Saints (March 10)

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

• Codratus and Companions, martyrs
• Macarius of Jerusalem, bishop
• Simplicius, pope
• Kessog, bishop and martyr
• Anastasia Patricia, virgin
• Drotte, abbot
• Attalas, abbot
• Himelin
• John Ogilvie, priest and martyr [1]

Today, March 10, both the Catholic Church and the Churches that use the Byzantine Calendar commemorate St. Codratus of Corinth (d. ca. 258 A.D.).

Codratus was born to Greek parents. Traditional stories say his mother died in the wilderness after trying to escape the persecution of Christians during the reign of Decius. Codratus therefore grew up in the wild.

When he came of age, Codratus was able to study medicine and led an ascetical life together with a group of disciples. During the persecution of Christians under Valerian, Codratus was summoned by Jason, prefect of Greece. Four of his followers were with him: Dionysius, Anectus, Crescens and Paul. When all of them refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, they were thrown to the wild beasts. But when they were not harmed by the wild beasts, all of them were beheaded [2].

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [March 10]

• Sts. Codratus and companions: Cyprian, Anectus and Criscent

References: Books, Websites & AI Search Results

• [1] Pocket Catholic Dictionary, John A. Hardon
• [2] Dictionary of Saints, John J. Delaney