Saint of the Day: St. Maruta

Bishop (d. ca. 415)

His life

+ Maruta was bishop of Mayferkqat, Syria, in the late fourth and early fifth centuries.

+ Remembered for presiding over the Council of Selucia, he worked to repair churches that had been damaged or destroyed during the persecutions of King Sapor and recovered the relics of martyrs that had been stolen during the persecution.

+ Maruta composed a number of hymns in honor of the martyrs and also recorded the stories of their lives and deaths. Because of his many writings, he is honored as the chief “doctor” of the Syrian Church.

+ Beyond being a gifted theologian, Maruta also worked to defend his people, going so far as to travel to the court of King Yezdigerd, seeing an end to the persecution of Christians. His efforts succeeded in bringing about the end of the persecution.

+ Saint Maruta died around the year 415.

For reflection

The Lord said, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master, will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.”—Luke 12:41-42

Spiritual bonus

On this day the Church in Malta celebrates the Feast of the Shipwreck of Saint Paul. In chapter 28 of the Acts of the Apostles, Saint Luke recounts the time Paul and Luke spent in Malta as being graced with miracles of healing and he is especially grateful for the warm hospitality offered by the people of Malta. Saint Paul is honored as the patron saint of Malta.

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, who gave your holy Church blessed Maruta as Bishop, grant that what he taught when moved by the divine Spirit may always stay firm in our hearts; and as by your gift we embrace him as our patron, may we also have him as our defender to entreat your mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Martyrology—Common of Pastors)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.