[Commemorated by the Greeks on this day, and also on December 27th. Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, speaks of the festival of S. Maurice being observed in his time, (A.D. 400); the Acts in Metaphrastes are not altogether trustworthy. This S. Maurice is not to be mistaken for the S. Maurice who suffered at Agaunum, commemorated by the Westerns on September 22nd.] During the persecution by the tyrant Maximian, which began in the army, Maurice and seventy soldiers, amongst whom was his son Photinus, boldly confessed Christ, and refused to sacrifice to the gods. They were deprived of their military belts, a humiliation similar to the striking off the spurs of a knight in the Middle Ages, and were consigned to prison. The head of Photinus, who was only a lad, was struck off; the others were tormented with iron hooks and fire; and then, with cruel malice, they were conducted to a low, marshy spot, near Apamea, were smeared with honey, and tied to stakes, that they might be tormented by wasps, hornets, and musquitos. The brave soldiers of Christ lingered without food for many days, but by the tenth day all were dead; their heads were then cut off, and they were buried. S. VITALINA, V. (ABOUT A.D. 390.) [Commemorated as Patron at Antonne, between Riome and Gannat, in Auvergne. Commemorated also at Metz. Nothing is known concerning her except a strange story of her having spoken to S. Martin out of her tomb, and told him she was still mourning for having washed her head on a Friday,--a story related by Gregory of Tours. De gloria Confessorum, c. v.] S. ZACHARIAS, PATR. OF JERUSALEM. (A.D. 631.) [Greek Menæa, Authorities:--The Chronicon Alexandrinum, Theophanes, the Annals of Eutychius, Anastasius Bibliothecarius, Paulus Diaconus, Cedrenus, &c.]