5 August 2024 (MIA)

Macedonian Orthodox Church Calendar

St. Apollinaris

Mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Disciple of Saint Peter the Apostle. First Bishop of Ravenna, Italy; as such he faced nearly constant persecution. He and his flock were exiled from Ravenna by Vespasian. On his way out of the city he was identified, arrested as being the leader, tortured and martyred. Died when they run through with a sword c. 79 at Ravenna, Italy.

Catholic Calendar

Dedication of Saint Mary Major

There are three basilicas in Rome in which the holy father celebrates Mass on different feasts: Saint John Lateran, Saint Peter’s on Vatican Hill, and Saint Mary Major, which was the first church in Rome dedicated to Mary the Mother of God. It was founded by Pope Liberius in the 4th century, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin by Pope Saint Sixtus III about 435. The church is sometimes called, Saint Mary ad Nives (of the Snow), because a miraculous snow fell upon the area in summer about the time a patrician named John had a vision of the Virgin requesting the building of the church. He donated the money for its building.