Sts Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus, Martyrs (8 August) ~ Dom Prosper Guéranger

About this sermon

“Rome, baptized in the blood she had shed, found herself Christian in spite of herself.” On August 8, The Liturgical Year of Dom Prosper Guéranger turns our attention to the ancient Roman martyrs Sts. Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus. Appearing immediately before the great St. Lawrence in the traditional liturgical cycle, St. Cyriacus was a Roman deacon whose battles against the demonic earned him lasting renown in Christian tradition. He is also numbered among the saints traditionally known as the Fourteen Holy Helpers. ⚔️ THE MARTYRS WHO CONQUERED ROME Dom Guéranger presents St. Cyriacus and his companions as members of one of the noblest companies in the army of Christ. Their victory was not won through worldly weapons. It was won through martyrdom. The Roman Empire attempted to destroy Christianity by shedding the blood of Christians. Yet the courage of the martyrs produced the opposite result. The Cross conquered Rome. The empire that had once put Christians to the sword would eventually lavish honors upon the very martyrs it had condemned. Such, Dom Guéranger reminds us, are the triumphs of the Wisdom of God. ✝️ ST. CYRIACUS, DEACON AND MARTYR According to the traditional account presented in this reading, Cyriacus endured a long imprisonment together with Largus, Smaragdus, and their companions. Through his prayers, Cyriacus delivered Arthemia, the daughter of Diocletian, from demonic possession. He was later sent to Persia, where the account relates that he similarly delivered the daughter of the Persian king. The king, his daughter, and hundreds of others subsequently received baptism. Cyriacus eventually returned to Rome, where persecution awaited him. He was seized under Emperor Maximian, dragged in chains, subjected to terrible tortures, and ultimately put to death together with his companions. But Rome could kill the martyrs only once. Their witness would endure for centuries. 🩸 AN IMMEMORIAL CULT OF THE MARTYRS Dom Guéranger notes that mention of these martyrs appears in some of the most ancient calendars of the Church handed down from the fourth century. Whatever historical questions have been raised concerning individual details of their traditional accounts, their ancient veneration in the Church testifies to the enduring devotion Christians have shown them. Their relics, sanctuaries, feast, and liturgical remembrance preserved their names across the centuries. 🙏 PRAYER TO STS. CYRIACUS, LARGUS & SMARAGDUS “O God, who dost rejoice us by the annual solemnity of Thy holy Martyrs Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus, mercifully grant that we may imitate the virtue with which they suffered, whose festival we celebrate.” St. Cyriacus, pray for us. St. Largus, pray for us. St. Smaragdus, pray for us. Holy Martyrs of Rome, pray for us. Feast: August 8 ✝️ Saints: Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus, Martyrs Christ conquers. Christ reigns. Christ commands. Sts. Cyriacus, Largus, and Smaragdus, pray for us. YouTube Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 The Liturgical Year — August 8 00:15 Sts. Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus, Martyrs 00:24 St. Cyriacus and His Power Over the Demonic 00:32 A Noble Company in Christ’s Army 00:41 The Martyrs Win Victory for the Cross 00:48 Rome Baptized in the Blood of the Martyrs 00:55 The Triumph of the Wisdom of God 01:03 Ancient Veneration of the Three Martyrs 01:20 Their Immemorial Cult and Holy Relics 01:35 St. Cyriacus the Deacon 01:42 The Miracles of St. Cyriacus 01:51 Deliverance of Arthemia 01:59 St. Cyriacus Goes to Persia 02:07 Return to Rome and Arrest 02:15 The Tortures of St. Cyriacus 02:22 Martyrdom of Cyriacus and His Companions 02:31 Burial of the Holy Martyrs 02:40 Translation of Their Sacred Relics 02:57 The Church’s Prayer to the Martyrs 03:06 Imitating Their Courage and Virtue https://sensusfidelium.com/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/august/august-8-sts-cyriacus-largus-and-smaragdus-martyrs/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StCyriacus #CatholicMartyrs #TheLiturgicalYear: #StLargus #StSmaragdus #DomProsperGueranger #FourteenHolyHelpers #CatholicSaints #SaintOfTheDay #A

Topics

• Suffering & Trials