Saints Dec. 23, Martyrs of Crete, Ten Roman Catholic martyrs, St. Victoria, Roman Catholic Martyr, with her sister Anatolia, St. John of Kanty, Roman Catholic priest,

Martyrs of Crete, Ten Roman Catholic martyrs of the island of Crete who suffered during the persecution of Emperor Trajanus Decius. They are named Agathopus, Basilides, Eunician, Euporus, Evaristus, Cleomenes, Gelasius, Saturninus, Theodulus, and Zoticus. Feastday: December 23 St. Victoria, Roman Catholic Martyr, with her sister Anatolia, she refused importunate suitors. Both were imprisoned and starved by their suitors but persisted in refusing marriage. Anatolia was converted to Christianity and converted many in Picenum before being denounced for her faith, for which she was tortured and executed at Thora on Lake Velino in Italy. When Victoria refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, she too was executed, perhaps at Tribulano. The guard was converted by their example and was also martyred. Feastday Dec.23rd. St. John of Kanty, Roman Catholic priest, scholastic philosopher, physicist and theologian, Feastday Dec.23rd.