Martyrology. Usuardus [a 9th-century monk of Paris who compiled a list of saints for each day], &c. Authority: — S. Dionysius of in his letter to Fabius of Antioch, in Eusebius [Eusebius of Caesarea (d. c. 339), the first historian of the Church], H. E. vi. 41.] N the persecution of Decius [Roman emperor 249–251, who ordered everyone to sacrifice to the gods], at Alexandria, there was a band of soldiers standing round the tribunal of the governor who was trying and sentencing the Christians. One unhappy man's constancy gave way before the tortures which were preparing, and he showed signs of yielding and denying his faith. Some of the soldiers who were Christians — Ammon, Zeno, Ptolemy, Ingenius, and an old soldier named Theophilus — could not control their distress, and made signs to him to stand firm. When the judge asked about them, they burst into the ring, and proclaimed themselves Christians.

“ The governor and his associates were greatly intimidated, whilst those who were condemned were most cheerful at the prospect of what they were to suffer. These, therefore, retired from the tribunals, and rejoiced in their testimony, in which God had enabled them to triumph gloriously.”

[Roman Alexandria Dec. ao.j S. Philogonius.