[70] The Iconoclastic party was not actuated by any religious feeling, but was simply that of free-thinkers, as the Protestant and very prejudiced ecclesiastical historian Gieseler is constrained to admit. He says, "the enlightenment party, the opponents of images, was not created by a religious feeling, but merely by the emperor's will, and thus partly fostered a superficial, free-thinking, rather than a beneficial reformatory tendency." February 26. S. NESTOR, _B. M. of Magida_, A.D. 251. SS. FORTUNATUS AND COMPANIONS, _MM. at Antioch_. S. DIONYSIUS, _B. M. of Augsburg_, A.D. 303. S. ALEXANDER, _Patr. of Alexandria_, A.D. 326 S. FAUSTIAN, _B. of Bologna, in Italy, 4th cent._ S. PORPHYRY, _B. of Gaza_, A.D. 421. SS. EOLADIUS AND AGRICOLA, _BB. of Nevers, 6th cent._ S. VICTOR, _P. at Arcis-sur-Aube, in France, 6th or 7th cent._ S. EDIGNA, _V. at Puech, in Bavaria_, A.D. 1119. S. NESTOR, B. M. (A.D. 251.) [Roman Martyrology, the ancient one called S. Jerome's, those of Bede, Ado, Usuardus, Notker, &c. By the Greeks on Feb. 28th. Authority:--The ancient and genuine Acts.] In the reign of Decius, Pollio was governor of Pamphylia. When persecution broke out, Nestor, bishop of Magida, an obscure town in that province, knowing that he was particularly feared by the pagans, and that the first stroke was sure to fall upon him, ordered his flock to disperse into places of safety, and then calmly awaited the officers of justice. They found him in prayer, and led him forth with his head covered with a hood (_mafortium_). And when he came into the forum, he was honourably received, all the court rising and saluting him. He said, "God pardon you, why have you done this?" They answered, "Thy manner of life is deserving of respect." Then he was taken apart from the public, and stools were placed for the magistrates and his advocates, and a chair for the bishop, and he was requested to sit down. He replied, "The honour of being summoned into your presence suffices me." Then the Irenarch said, "Sir, dost thou know the order of the emperor?" "I know the command of the Almighty, not that of the emperor," was the reply of the Bishop. "O Nestor," said the magistrate, "consent without difficulty, that we be not called to judge thee." "I obey the commands of the heavenly King," answered Nestor. "Thou art possessed," said the magistrate. "Nay," said the bishop, "not I, but thou, for thy gods are devils." "I shall have to send thee to the governor," said the Irenarch, "for they are true gods. Beware of torture." Then Nestor signing the cross on his brow, said, "Wherefore dost thou threaten me with torture? The only torments I dread are those of my God. Be well assured, in torture, or out of torture, Him shall I confess."