unless stated otherwise.
Saint Gorgonius.
Martyr.
Feast Day 9 September.
Simple.
Red Vestments.
Martyrdom of Saint Gorgonius and Saint Dorothy.
Date: 14th-Century.
Source: Vies de saints, France, Paris, France.
Author: Richard de Montbaston et collaborateurs.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Gorgonius was born at Nicomedia [Editor: Nicomedia (Greek: Νικομήδεια; modern-day İzmit) was an ancient Greek City in what is now Turkey]. While an Officer of the Household of Emperor Diocletian, he converted to the Faith of Christ, with the help of his colleague, Dorothy, both Servants of the Imperial Palace.
“To punish them for such audacity, they were hung up and their bodies lacerated by whips; then vinegar and salt were thrown on their uncovered entrails; and they were strangled after having been roasted on a grid-iron”.
They were put to death at Nicomedia in 303 A.D. Later, the body of Saint Gorgonius was buried at Rome on the Latin Way, whence it was eventually Translated to the Basilica of Saint Peter.
Mass: Lætábitur.
As Zephyrinus knows no doubt, there are two “S. Gorgonius/-ii:” the martyr of Nicomedia, d. ca. 309 AD, held in particular high regard in the Eastern Church, and whose relics were translated to Rome and the Vatican later: and S. Gorgonius of Rome, d. ca. 200-300, sometime during the early persecutions, executed and buried along the Via Latina (some sources say Via Labicana) in the ancient cemetery called “Inter Duas Lauras.”
ReplyDeleteEither S. Gorgonius was held in such high regard by the early Franciscan missionaries of the Southwest US that they named the landmark peak, Mt. S. Gorgonio, 11,500’ high, which is the tallest peak in S. California and often snow-capped much of the year and dusting far above the treeline. San Gorgonio Pass which one takes from Arizona to So. California along Interstate 8 passes through this pass, and the winds never cease through this pass accompanied by an unceasing eerie moaning—no doubt that of wandering spirits as Our Lord noted (Mk. 12:43) and the friars invoked S. Gorgonius’ protection—-as the hot air of the desert rises inland near and around Death Valley, and the cooler Pacific breezes rush in to take their place.
(This traveler also always invoked S. Gorgonius’ protection going through his pass also!.) -Note by Dante P
We are most grateful to Our Liturgical Travel Correspondent, Dante P, for this interesting and useful contribution.
DeleteZephyrinus freely admits to being ignorant of the fact that there were two Saint Gorgoniuses. So, many thanks for this “Uptick” in one's Saintly History.
The geographical and topographical highlights that Dante P offers for our erudition is extremely interesting. Many thanks. [“Eerie moaning”, whilst passing through the Pass ??? One thinks that a Rosary and Holy Water should be at hand. Both having been previously Blessed by one's Parish Priest, of course.]
If ever Zephyrinus is thinking of travelling through the San Gorgonio Pass, he shall remember this sage advice from Dante P and ensure that he has Saint Gorgonius watching his back.
If it's good enough for Dante P, it's good enough for Zephyrinus !!!