Barnabas Fund last week launched a petition as part of our 2012 Proclaim Freedom campaign, which seeks to put pressure on governments to take resolute action on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world.
Christians are one of the largest and most persecuted groups in the world, yet they are often neglected in Western governments’ foreign [...]By John Smeaton, LifeSite News
Dr John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, (pictured) has told David Cameron, the prime minister, not to legalize gay marriage*. He said (in an interview in the Telegraph this weekend):
“Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman … I don’t think it is the role of the state to [...]From Christian Today
In just a few weeks, the Government will begin rounding up opinions on marriage and whether the current legal definition of a union between one man and one woman should remain, or be redefined to apply also to same-sex couples.
Whenever a change to the law is being considered that has the potential for [...]
By Charles Moore, Telegraph
Charles Moore reviews Religion for Atheists by Alain de Botton (Hamish Hamilton).
'The most boring and unproductive question one can ask of a religion,” says Alain de Bottonin the first sentence of this book, “is whether or not it is true.” Many believers will find this an unpromising start, but de Botton [...]From The Press Association
A prayer giving thanks for the reign of the Queen has been released by the Church of England to mark her 60 years on the throne.
The Diamond Jubilee Prayer, written at the Queen's direction by the chapter of St Paul's Cathedral, will be used at the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service on June 5 [...].jpg)
By Katie Liptrott, York Press
HUNDREDS of people are expected to attend a protest outside York Minster against comments made by the Archbishop of York about gay marriage.
The protest is in reaction to an interview given by Dr John Sentamu, the second most senior Church of England cleric, in which he told the Daily Telegraph that [...]From BRIN
‘Six out of ten Brits think bishops should be booted out of the House of Lords after defeating plans to cap benefits at £26,000 a year.’ So declared The Sun on 25 January 2012, following the poll it commissioned from YouGov on the public’s reactions to the Welfare Reform Bill.
The survey was undertaken online [...]From Cranmer
[...] But now it transpires that students of the LSE have reintroduced the blasphemy law (which His Grace observed long ago [five, to be precise]), and students at University College London have voted to force Roman Catholic chaplaincies to invite pro-abortion speakers to pro-life discussions. The motion (here in full) was adopted by 2002 [...]
By Ben Todd, Mailonline Veteran broadcaster says belief in evolution is not incompatible with religion His award-winning programmes on the natural world follow evolutionary history and the teachings of Darwin. Now, however, Sir David Attenborough has speculated that there may be a God – and insisted it would not be ‘inconsistent’ with the theory of [...]by George Conger, Get Religion
A jury has convicted three members of the Shafia family — father, mother and son of an Afghan family living in Ontario — of murder in what has become Canada’s most notorious “honor killings” case. There has been some great crime and court reporting in the Shafia case, and the articles [...]Recent statement by the newspaper’s Chair of Trustees:
“In October 2011, the Church of England Newspaper published an article by Alan Craig entitled “Confronting the Gaystapo”. The article was clearly identified as a personal opinion by a named individual. Its theme was that the gay rights lobby uses aggressive methods to advance its cause and should [...].gif)
Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, alongside eleven senior Anglican Bishops and others from public life, are among seventy figures who have expressed public support for a Christian psychotherapist, ahead of an Appeal hearing this week.
A letter written in support of Lesley Pilkington, the psychotherapist at the centre of this case – which involves, [...]By Patrick Lee, Witherspoon Institute
The conjugal conception of marriage is just and coherent; the same-sex marriage proponents’ conception of marriage is unjust and incoherent.
The “marriage equality movement”: that’s the name chosen for themselves by same-sex “marriage” supporters. The implicit argument is that the state’s granting marriage licenses only to opposite-sex couples is undue discrimination. The [...].jpg)
By Peter Saunders, MercatorNet
A leading activist agrees that homosexual preferences are fluid and changing. If so, why do gays need special treatment?
Many people think that homosexuality is a biological characteristic like race or sex – biologically fixed and genetically determined. They think this because this is the view that has been successfully propagated by the [...].jpg)
By Megan Moore, Conservative Home
The Archbishop of York's comments on gay marriage in the Telegraph are not only entirely unremarkable for an Anglican priest, but also wholly inoffensive for anyone possessing of an open mind. Facebook and Twitter, however, have once again conspired to ensure that nothing in this world can ever again pass as [...]From The Telegraph
Monogamy has replaced polygamy because societies where men can marry more than one woman are more violent, researchers say.
A study found that in polygamous cultures, levels of rape, kidnap, murder and robbery increase as the dissatsified men left on the shelf go on the rampage.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia say that [...]Andrew Brown, Guardian
The Archbishop of York must understand we are not facing a 'dictatorship' on gay marriage but a change in popular morality
The archbishop of York, John Sentamu, hopes that people will pay attention to other things in his most recent interview than his attack on gay marriage. Fat chance. When he said that the [...]By Peter Saunders, CMF
The costs of sexual freedom and relationship breakdown to the taxpayer and wider economy total some £100 billion annually; about twice as much as alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity combined.
This is the astounding conclusion of the latest ‘Cambridge Paper’, ‘Free sex: Who pays? Moral hazard and sexual ethics’, by Jubilee Centre researcher [...].jpg)
From Queerty.com
Why would we push anti-bullying programs or social studies classes that teach kids about the historical contributions of famous queers unless we wanted to deliberately educate children to accept queer sexuality as normal?
Remember, Prop 8 passed along age lines with the very old voting largely in favor of it. The younger generation doesn’t fear [...]By Jerome Reilly, Irish Independent (Hat Tip: Cranmer)
A HOMILY delivered at Knock shrine by the Bishop of Raphoe, Philip Boyce, is being investigated by the Director of Public Prosecutions following a formal complaint by a leading humanist who claims the sermon was an incitement to hatred.
The gardai have confirmed to former Fine Gael election candidate [...]
: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Monday , January 30, 2012 King Charles the Martyr 19 November 1600 30 January 1649 was King of England , King of Scotland and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his . execution Charles famously engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England . He was an advocate of the Divine Right of Kings , and many in England feared that he was attempting to gain absolute power . Many of his actions , particularly the levying of taxes without Parliament's consent , caused widespread . opposition Religious conflicts permeated Charles's reign . He married a Catholic princess , Henrietta Maria of France , over theby Katie Silver, Mailonline
2.8 million children have a smartphone – including almost a million 8-12 year olds (25 per cent)
87 per cent of children do not have parental security restrictions on their mobile phones
Almost forty percent of children use the phones to access videos and social networking sites
Parents are being warned to monitor their children's [...]: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Sunday , January 29, 2012 The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany The . Collect O GOD , who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers , that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright Grant to us such strength and protection , as may support us in all dangers , and carry us through all temptations through Jesus Christ our Lord . . Amen The Epistle Romans xiii . 1. LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers . For there is no power but of God : the powers that be are ordained of God . Whosoever therefore resisteth the power , resisteth the ordinance of God and they that: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Saturday , January 28, 2012 Preservation of the American Episcopate Thousands of faithful Episcopalians gathered in St . Louis , Missouri in 1977 and agreed upon the Affirmation of St . Louis a document which expressed our commitment to the historic and biblical faith of the . Church In Denver , Colorado , on January 28th 1978, the Rt . Rev . Albert Chambers retired along with two other bishops , consecrated four ECUSA priests Bishops Frs . Waterson , Mote , Doren and . Morse It is hoped that through these lines that a orthodox , faithful and traditional Anglican presence could and can be maintianed in North . America: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Friday , January 27, 2012 John Chrysostom John was called Chrysostom Golden Mouth because of his eloquence . He was a priest of Antioch , and an outstanding preacher . Audiences were warned not to carry large sums of money when they went to hear him speak , since pickpockets found it very easy to rob his hearers they were too intent on his words to notice what was happening . His sermons are mostly straightforward expositions of Holy Scripture he has extensive commentaries on both Testaments , with special attention to the Epistles of Paul and he emphasizes the literal meaning , whereas the style popular at Alexandria
David Mansfield January 26th, 2012 I have just spent four frenetic days in Kenya visiting Anglican Aid partners. These wonderful partners are delivering the emergency aid programmes made possible by the generosity of Sydney Anglicans and their friends. But I spent those days deeply conflicted, and the inner turmoil hasn’t subsided. For, only hours before [...]
African Anglicans should not be deceived by the supportive noises from Western liberals. The true opinion of Western Anglican liberals towards two thirds’ world biblical orthodoxy came out at the Lambeth 1998 Conference. African Anglicans’ commitment to biblical orthodoxy on Christian faith and morals is ‘pre-scientific’ and ‘primitive’. The former Anglican Bishop of Newark in [...]: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Thursday , January 26, 2012 Polycarp of Smyrna ca . 69- ca . 155 was a Christian bishop of Smyrna now İzmir in Turkey in the second century . He died a martyr when he was stabbed and burnt at the stake . Polycarp is recognized as a saint in most Christian churches . It is recorded that He had been a disciple of John . The options for this John are John the son of Zebedee traditionally viewed as the author of the Fourth Gospel , or John the Presbyter . Traditional advocates follow Eusebius in insisting that the apostolic connection of Papius was with John the Evangelist , and that this John , the author of the Gospel of
The “overarching theme” of the Bible is not “a preferential option for the marginalised and the need to offer them justice,” but “a preferential option for the repentant and the faithful, and the mercy to offer them salvation.” Having been in this fight for so long, we sometimes forget – those of us who write [...]
By Ed West, Telegraph The Sunday Times over the weekend had a feature about six children suffering from Gender Identity Disorder who are being given drugs to delay the onset of puberty, giving them more time to decide whether they wish to change sex later in life. The operations are being paid for by the [...]
Graham Stanton I’ll get straight to the point: you need to read You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church…and Rethinking Faith by David Kinnaman. If you’re at all interested for the future of the church. If you’re a church leader – youth minister, senior minister, or bishop. If you’re a parent, or grandparent. [...]: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Wednesday , January 25, 2012 The Conversion of Saint Paul The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul is a feast celebrated during the liturgical year on January 25, recounting the Conversion of Saul of Tarsus , who after a record of brutalizing and persecuting Christians , converted to Christianity and became the apostle . Paul While on the road to Damascus c . A.D . 36 to annihilate the Christian community there , Saul said he was blinded by a brilliant light and heard the voice of Christ saying , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou me And they that were with me saw indeed the light , and were afraid , but they heard not: . The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Tuesday , January 24, 2012 St . Timothy was a first-century Christian bishop who died about AD 80. Evidence from the New Testament also has him functioning as an apostolic delegate or . coadjutor Timothy is first mentioned in the Bible at the time of Paul's second visit to Lystra 16:2 where Timothy probably resided and where it seems he was converted during Paul's first visit to that place 1 Tim 1:2 2 Tim 3:11 Paul , having been impressed by his own son in the faith arranged that he should become his companion Acts 16:3 and personally circumcised him because his mother was of the Jewish faith , so that he might be: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Monday , January 23, 2012 Phillips Brooks December 13, 1835 January 23, 1893 is best known today as the author of O Little Town of Bethlehem . Former generations , however , accounted him the greatest American preacher of the nineteenth century and not for lack of other candidates His sermons are still . read He was born in Boston in 1835 and educated at Harvard and at Virginia Theological Seminary . After ten years of ministry at two churches in Philadelphia , he returned to Boston in 1869 and was rector of Trinity Church there until 1891. He was then elected Bishop of Massachusetts , and died two years . later Propers: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Sunday , January 22, 2012 The Third Sunday after Epiphany The . Collect ALMIGHTY and everlasting God , mercifully look upon our infirmities , and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us through Jesus Christ our Lord . . Amen The Epistle Romans xii . 16. BE not wise in your own conceits . Recompense to no man evil for evil . Provide things honest in the sight of all men . If it be possible , as much as lieth in you , live peaceably with all men . Dearly beloved , avenge not yourselves , but rather give place unto wrath : for it is written , Vengeance is mine I will repay , saith: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Saturday , January 21, 2012 Vincent of Saragossa From 01 22 He was born at Huesca but lived in Zaragoza Saragossa in English also in the Aragon region of Spain and is also known as Saint Vincent the Deacon . The title deacon diakonos means minister or . servant Vincent served as the deacon of Saint Valerius , bishop of Saragossa . Imprisoned in Valencia for his faith , and tortured on a gridiron . Vincent , like many early martyrs in the early hagiographic literature , succeeded in converting his jailer . Though he was finally offered release if he would consign Scripture to the fire , Vincent . refused The earliest: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Saturday , January 21, 2012 Graham Staines Graham Stuart Staines 1941-January 1999 was an Australian missionary who was burnt to death while he was sleeping with his two sons Timothy aged 9 and Philip aged 7 in his station wagon at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district in Orissa , India in January 1999. In 2003, the Hindu activist Dara Singh was convicted of leading the . gang Graham Staines had been working in Orissa among the tribal poor and especially with leprosy patients since 1965. Prayer Precious in thy sight , O Lord , is the death of Thy servants , whose faithful witness , by Thy providence , hath its great: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Saturday , January 21, 2012 Agnes of Rome According to tradition , Saint Agnes was a member of the Roman nobility born c . 291 and raised in a Christian family . She suffered martyrdom at the age of twelve during the reign of the Eastern Roman Emperor Diocletian , on January 21, 304. The prefect Sempronius wished Agnes to marry his son , and on Agnes' refusal he condemned her to death . As Roman law did not permit the execution of virgins , Sempronius had a naked Agnes dragged through the streets to a brothel . As she prayed , her hair grew and covered her body . It was also said that all of the men who attempted to rape: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Friday , January 20, 2012 Fabian of Rome Fabian was Bishop of Rome for 14 years . He organized the city of Rome into parishes and appointed scribes to record the lives of the martyrs for posterity . When the Emperor Decius began a persecution of Christians , probably the first one to be waged simultaneously in all parts of the Empire , Fabian was one of the first to be put to death , setting a courageous example for others . His tombstone , with the inscription dimly visible , can still be seen at . Rome Propers for Fabian Bishop of Rome and . Martyr The . Collect O GOD , who dost support and defend us with the glorious: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Thursday , January 19, 2012 Wulfstan of Worcester Son of Athelstan and Wulfgeva , he was known as a pious youth . Studied at the monasteries of Evesham and Petersborough . When Wulfstan was grown , but still a young man , his parents joined separate monasteries in Worcester . Priest who led his flock by good example . Monk at Worcester . Taught catechism to children , and served as church treasurer . Bishop of Worcester in 1062. When William the Norman conquered England in 1066, he replaced most of the native Anglo-Saxon bishops with clergy from his own Normandy . The most conspicuous exception was Wulfstan , Bishop of: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Wednesday , January 18, 2012 Octave of Prayer for Church Unity January 18 is the Feast of the Confession of Peter Thou art the Christ , the Son of the Living God Matthew 16:16 January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul Acts 9 Many Christians observe the eight days from January 18 to January 25 inclusive as a time of special prayer that all Christians may be one with their Lord and with one another , joined in faith and . love I invite all of you to join in offering such prayers , always but especially during these eight . days O gracious Father , we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic church that thou wouldst: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Wednesday , January 18, 2012 Prisca of Rome Was a Roman young woman virgin tortured and executed for her Christian faith . She is revered as a saint and a martyr by the . Church The Christians buried her body at the tenth milestone on the road from Rome to . Ostia Propers for Prisca of Rome Virgin Martyr The . Collect ALMIGHTY and everlasting God , who didst strengthen thy blessed martyr Prisca with the virtue of constancy in faith and truth : Grant us in like manner for love of thee to despise the prosperity of this world , and to fear none of its adversities through Jesus Christ our Lord . . Amen The Epistle 2 Esdras: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Wednesday , January 18, 2012 The Confession of Peter The Confession of Peter is a statement made by Saint Peter the Apostle in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew 16:13–20, Mark 8:27–30, and Luke 9:18–20, in which he emphatically acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah or Christ meaning the Anointed One The Confession of Peter is also the name of a liturgical feastday celebrated by some Christian . churches Propers for the Confession of Peter The . Collect Almighty Father , who inspired Simon Peter , first among the apostles , to confess Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God : Keep Thy Church steadfast upon the rock of this: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Tuesday , January 17, 2012 Anthony of Egypt Before the conversion of the Emperor Constantine in 312 AD , back in the days when Christianity was still a persecuted religion , the act of becoming a Christian involved turning one's back on the pursuit of security , of fashionable prestige and popularity , of success as the term is widely understood . After the Emperor had changed Christianity from a persecuted religion into a fashionable one , many earnest Christians felt the need to make such a renunciation in the service of Christ , and did not see mere Church membership as any longer enough to constitute such a: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Monday , January 16, 2012 Marcellus I bishop of Rome from May 308 to 309, succeeded Marcellinus , after a considerable interval , most probably in May or June 308. Under Maxentius he was banished from Rome in 309 on account of the tumult caused by the severity of the penances he had imposed on Christians who had lapsed under the recent persecution . He died the same year , being succeeded by Eusebius . His relics are under the altar of San Marcello al Corso , in Rome . His feast day is commemorated on January 16. Propers for Marcellus I Bishop of Rome The . Collect O ALMIGHTY God , who hast called us to faith in thee , and: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Sunday , January 15, 2012 The Second Sunday after Epiphany The . Collect ALMIGHTY and everlasting God , who dost govern all things in heaven and earth Mercifully hear the supplications of thy people , and grant us thy peace all the days of our life through Jesus Christ our Lord . . Amen The Epistle Romans xii . 6. HAVING then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us , whether prophecy , let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith or ministry , let us wait on our ministering or he that teacheth , on teaching or he that exhorteth , on exhortation : he that giveth , let him do it with simplicity he: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Saturday , January 14, 2012 Paul of Thebes from 01 15 lived during the reign of Decius and Vallerian in 255. He came from Thebes in Egypt . Because he knew that his brother-in-law was going to turn him over to Decius and Vallerian as a Christian , he fled away like David into the desert and up to the . mountains St . Jerome relates the meeting of Saint Anthony and Paul , when the latter was aged 113. They conversed with each other for one day and one night . When Anthony next visited him , Paul was dead . Anthony clothed him in a tunic which was a present from Saint Athanasius and buried him , with two lions helping to dig: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Saturday , January 14, 2012 John Cosin from 01 15 30 November 1594 15 January 1672 He was born at Norwich , and was educated at Norwich grammar school and at Caius College , Cambridge , where he was scholar and afterwards fellow . 1 On taking orders he was appointed secretary to Bishop Overall of Lichfield , and then domestic chaplain to Richard Neile , Bishop of Durham . In December 1624 he was made a prebendary of Durham , and in the following year archdeacon of the East Riding of . Yorkshire In 1628 he took his degree of D.D . He first became known as an author in 1627, when he published his Collection of Private: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Saturday , January 14, 2012 Hilary of Poitiers ca . 300 368 was bishop of Poitiers Pictavium' and considered an eminent doctor of the Western Christian Church . He was sometimes referred to as the malleus Arianorum hammer against Arianism and the Athanasius of the West” . His name comes from the Greek word for happy or cheerful , the same root as English hilarious Propers for Hilary Bishop of . Poitiers The . Collect ALMIGHTY , everlasting God , whose servant Hilary steadfastly confessed thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to be Very God and Very Man : Grant that we may hold fast to this faith , and evermore magnify his holy: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Friday , January 13, 2012 Kentigern Mungo Grandson of the British prince Lothus . Hermit . Monk . Missionary to Scotland , beginning at Cathures . Bishop of the Strathclyde Britons in the area of modern Glasgow in 540. He taught and led there for 13 years , living in great austerity . Exiled in 553 during an anti-Christian uprising by local pagans , he fled to Menevia , Wales , where he stayed with Saint David of Wales . He founded a monastery at Llanelwy , and served as its first abbot . He returned to Scotland in 573, evangelizing the areas of Galloway and Cumberland . He returned to Glasgow in 581 and led his people: The Ohio Anglican.blog Opinion , News , History , Information and Random Thoughts Of A Lost Orthodox Anglican Traditionalist Looking To Build A Home In Northern . Ohio Thursday , January 12, 2012 Arcadius of Mauritania Wealthy and prominent Christian Roman citizen of Mauritania . During a persecution in Mauritania , he withdrew to live as a hidden hermit , prayerful and out of harm's . way The authorities wanted to use him as an example , and arrested a relative , threatening him with harm unless Arcadius turned himself in . Arcadius came in from the forests and went straight to court to trade himself for his kinsman . The judge said he would release the prisoners only if Arcadius would publicly sacrifice to a pagan god . Arcadius declined and was martyred . As he was mutilated to death