S. Castor was ordained first deacon, and then priest, by S. Maximus, second bishop of Trèves. He was appointed to preach the Gospel at Carden, on the Moselle, where is a church founded by him. A popular legend represents him as having asked of a boat which was going up the river with a load of salt, a small quantity of that useful condiment, which was however refused him; but when the vessel was shortly after nigh sinking in a storm, Castor saved it by making the sign of the cross over the tossing waves. His body, or part of it, was translated in after years to Coblenz. S. MARTIAN, H. (ABOUT 300.) [Commemorated by the Greeks with special solemnity on this day. Authority:--A Life written by a contemporary. Anciently, S. Martian was venerated at Constantinople in the Church of S. Peter, with great honour, probably because his relics reposed there.] Martian was a native of Cæsarea in Palestine. At the age of eighteen he retired to a mountain near that city, where he lived for twenty-five years among many holy solitaries in the practice of all virtues. A courtesan of Cæsarea, called Zoe, having heard of his sanctity, moved by an evil spirit, resolved to endeavour to lead him into sin. One stormy night she presented herself at his door, and cried to be admitted. "Have pity on me!" she pleaded, "I fear the wild beasts, I have lost my way!" Then he admitted her, and when she used all her efforts to fascinate him, and he felt his heart rebel against the law of God, by a sudden act of resolution, he thrust his legs into the fire, crying, "O Martian! how feels this fire to thee now? Yet it is not comparable to that which the devil kindles to consume the sinner." The woman, horror-struck at his proceeding, was filled with shame at her wicked purpose and manner of life. She burst into tears, and entreated the holy man to give her a rule whereby she might conform her life to the will of God. Then he sent her to S. Paula,[41] who governed a convent at Bethlehem, who received her; and Zoe became a model of penitence, eating only once a day, and sometimes spending two days without food; sleeping on the bare ground, and ever bewailing with many tears her former wicked life.