IfAncient Martyrology, attributed to S. Jerome [translator of the Bible into Latin (d. 420)], Usuardus [a 9th-century monk of Paris who compiled a list of saints for each day], Ado, Notker, and Modern Roman Martyrology. By the Greeks on separate days, on May 15th, 1 6th, and 18th. Authority: -The ancient and apparently trustworthy Acts.] At Lampsacus, the modem Chardah in Turkey in Asia, a young Christian named Peter, comely in body and fair in soul, was brought before the pro-consul Optimus, who said to him, “You see the commands of the unconquered emperors. Sacrifice to the great goddess Venus. What ! exclaimed Peter, “ to one whose life was a scandal, and who if she now lived in this town you would summon before your tribunal and order to the lock-up for her dissolute conduct ! I have no mind to worship a harlot.” It was too true, and the pro-consul felt it was so, and therefore had recourse to the only argument left to the powerful when defeated in a contest of words— violence. He ordered Peter to be attached to a wheel, his legs and arms twisted among the spokes, and held in place with iron chains. After he had borne this torture with great patience some little while, the pro-consul ordered his head to be struck off. And so he gained his palm.

After this the pro-consul went to Troas, and there three Christians were brought before him, named Andrew, Paul, and Nicomachus. The governor began with Nicomachus, who, on professing himself to be a Christian, was hung up by the wrists and tortured. In his agony under the flames, red hot pincers, and iron rakes, he shrieked out, “ Let me down; I will sacrifice !” So he was cast down. And instantly he was seized with madness, and cried, and bit the dust, and expired foaming.

Then a young girl in the crowd, looking on, named Dionysia, aged sixteen, cried out, uOh wretched man ! for one hour's respite to have to endure endless torment" The pro-consul angrily asked who cried this, and ordered her to be brought before him. Dionysia, a fair young maiden, modestly blushing, stood before his tribunal. Optimus bade her sacrifice, and threatened to have her burnt alive if she refused. But Dionysia firmly protested that she was a Christian, and that Christ would give her constancy to bear every torture he might devise against her. Then with that horrible, fiendish malice that characterised many of the heathen governors when dealing with Christian maidens, he gave her to two young men to take with them and insult. But Christ was with His martyr, and he sent an angel, and all night long a white silvery figure, as of moonshine, stood with a drawn sword of light extended over the maiden guarding her from harm.

Now when morning dawned the mob assembled, headed by two priests of Diana, roaring for their prey, and the pro-consul opened the prison and brought forth Andrew and Paul, and delivered them to the crowd. With a shout the mob rushed away, dragging the two Christians with them to a place outside the walls, where they stoned them. May I*.].SVS1. Dymphna and Gerebern. 207 But Dionysia heard the roar of fierce voices, like the roar of wild beasts, as the crowd rolled down the street, and she burst forth and ran after the martyrs, and forced her way through the crowd and flung herself on the bodies. Then, when Optimus heard wfliat had taken place, he said, “ Strike off her head,” and he was obeyed.