ST. BALBINA, ROMAN MATRON, FOUNDRESS OF THE ROMAN CHURCH BEARING HER NAME, ST.BENJAMIN, DEACON AND MARTYR,Mar. 31

ST. BALBINA, ROMAN MATRON, FOUNDRESS OF THE ROMAN CHURCH BEARING HER NAME

According to tradition, St. Balbina was the daughter of St. Quirinus, a Roman tribune. Father and daughter were baptized by Pope St. Alexander I. Under the Emperor Hadrian, they were arrested, tortured, and ultimately beheaded, probably around the year 130. Saint Balbina was buried on the Via Appia.  Mar.31

ST.BENJAMIN, DEACON AND MARTYR

 The Christians in Persia had enjoyed twelve years of peace during the reign of Isdegerd, son of Sapor III, when in 420 it was disturbed by the indiscreet zeal of Abdas, a Christian Bishop who burned the Temple of Fire, the great sanctuary of the Persians..Mar.31