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Icon of St. Victor Maurus,
Martyr of Milan (+ ca. 303)
Feast: May 8
Born into a Christian family
in the 3rd century after Christ, St. Victor Maurus was a soldier in the
Roman praetorian guard. He was born in Mauretania (western Africa) and
the descriptor "Maurus" indicates this origin, or that he had dark
skin. Filled with divine zeal, St. Victor destroyed some
altars to pagan demonic deities, after which he was arrested. Having
endured tortures for the name of Christ, St. Victor finished the
contest of martyrdom around the year 303 and is venerated on May 8. St.
Gregory of Tours records that miracles occurred above his grave; a
church was built above the site thereof. St. Ambrose of Milan greatly
encouraged
devotion to the martyr, and in Milan itself and the surrounding area,
many churches were dedicated to him. Holy Martyr Victor, pray to God
for us!
To read the whole Passion of
St. Victor, click here.
Top
Icon
is of unknown provenance, thought to be from an Italian atelier.
Next Icon: of unknown provenance, also from an Italian atelier.
Next Icon: a 4th-century mosaic from the chapel of St. Victor "in
Golden
Heaven," in the city of Milan.
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