SAINTS FOR MARCH 31

 SAINTS FOR MARCH 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

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. Machabeo, Irish abbot of Armagh, Ireland, for four decades. He is also listed as Gilda-Marchaibeo. He governed the monastery of Sts. Peter and Paul.