Baring-Gould’s sources: Modem Roman Martyrology. Authority A Letter of Peter, Bishop of Alexandria, a contemporary, quoted by Theodoret, lib. iv., e. 22.] After the death of S. Athanasius, one Peter was elected to fill his place as Patriarch of Alexandria. He had shared in the labours and afflictions of S. Athanasius, and had endeared himself to the people of Alexandria. But the Emperor Valens was an Arian, and a persecutor, and Peter was driven from his see, and an Arian named Lucius was installed in his place, who dispersed and exiled the hermits of the desert, on account of their inflexible adherence to the faith of Nicgea. He was supported by Palladius, the governor of the province, a heathen; but this was not the first time that heresy and heathenism combined against the true faith. Palladius, at the instigation of Lucius, attacked the Catholics in their churches, and the most atrocious crimes were committed. “But,” says the Bishop Peter, “when I try to speak of them, the remembrance overcomes me, and draws tears from my eyes. The people entered the Church of Theonas, singing the praises of their idols, clapping their hands, and uttering insults against the Christian virgins which my tongue refuses to repeat. Would that they had confined themselves to words ! But they tore the garments of the virgins of Christ, whose purity rendered them like angels. They dragged them in a state of complete nudity about the city, and treated them in the most wanton and insulting manner, and with unheard-of cruelty. If any one, touched with compassion, interfered, he was attacked and wounded. Many of these virgins were beaten about their heads with clubs, and expired beneath the blows. Many of the corpses have not yet been found, to the grief of their parents. A young man, dressed as a woman, danced upon the holy altar where we invoke the Holy Ghost, making grimaces to the diversion of the mob, who laughed immoderately. Another stripped himself naked and seated himself as naked as he was born in the episcopal chair. When these acts of impiety had been perpetrated I left the church.” May i3.] S. Servatus. 18^