October 20 Celebration of Saints

October 20 Celebration of Saints  

Saint Artemius of Antioch

Saint Artemius of Antioch, birthdate unknown, was a general in the armies of the Roman Empire, a commander under Emperor Constantine the Great.

In the year 360, Emperor Constantius II sent Artemius on a mission to travel to another part of Europe to retrieve the relics of Luke the Evangelist, Saint Timothy and the Apostle Andrew. Artemius was successful and received a promotion for his efforts.

The next year, Constantius II was replaced by his pagan cousin Julian. After destroying pagan temples and idols in Alexandria, Julian condemned Artemius to death. He was beheaded in 362 in Antioch.

Saint Irene of Tomar

Portuguese Saint Irene of Tomar was born into a prominent family circa 635 in Tomar, Portugal. Her parents sent her to a convent school at an early age and she dedicated her life to the church.

While returning home after visiting a disabled elderly man circa 653, Irene was murdered and became a martyr for her faith.

Her body was thrown into the Nabão River and was later recovered by Benedictine monks, who gave her a proper burial. The name of the city of Scalabis, near where her body was found, was later changed to Santarém, or Saint Irene.

Other Saints for Today

Other saints for this day include:

Saint Acca, Saint Adelina, Blessed Adeline, Saint Aderald, Saint Barsabas, Saint Bernard of Bagnorea, Saint Bertilla Boscardin, Saint Caprasius of Agen, Blessed Francis Serrano, Blessed Jakob Kern, Saint Martha, Blessed Oleksa Zaryckyj and Saint Usthazanes.