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"He was an officer in the Roman army under Valerian. Being asked by the governor of Palestine if he was a Christian, he answered in the affirmative: whereupon the judge gave him three hours so consider whether he would abide by his answer, or recal it. The bishop of Cæsarea being informed of the affair, came to him, when he was withdrawn from the tribunal, and taking him by the hand, led him to the church. There, pointing to the sword which he wore, and then to the book of the gospels, he asked him which of the two he would choose. Marinus, without the least hesitation, stretched out his right hand, and laid hold of the sacred book. Upon which the bishop said: "Go, be constant, and doubt not but God will give thee strength." Being summoned again before the judge, he professed his faith with even greater resolution and alacrity than before, and was immediately led away and beheaded, losing his sword, but gaining the promise of the gospel.

To many Christians the like choice is now offered; and how great is the number of those, who for temporal interest forsake the gospel, transgressing all its maxims to make their own advantage? And what is their gain, when accounts are made up, when the loss of heaven is the fruit of their injustice? Follow a better rule. Hold the gospel in your hand, and go no further than you can carry this with you. If any advantage be offered, and the condition of the purchase is offending against the truth or justice of this sacred volume, renounce the proposal; for this is giving heaven for earth, and eternity for a moment. Praise God for his mercy to this his servant, who having the same infirm nature that we have, desirous of quiet, and averse to suffering, was so confirmed by the divine grace, as cheerfully to submit to persecution, and to offer himself a sacrifice for the glory of God's name, and in testimony of his truth." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother