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"He was born in Lycia, had been a professed philosopher, and continued to wear the cloak of a philosopher after his conversion to the faith. In the persecution of Galerius Maximianus, he often confessed his faith before magistrates, had sanctified several dungeons, and been condemned to the mines in Palestine. Being released from thence, he went into Egypt, but there found the persecution more violent than in Palestine itself, under Hierocles, the most barbarous prefect of Egypt. St. Edesius being at Alexandria, and observing how outrageously the judge proceeded against the Christians, by tormenting grave men, and delivering up women of singular piety, and even virgins, to the purchasers of slaves, boldly presented himself before this savage monster, rather than man, and reproached him with his inhumanity, and barbarous usage of the Christians. He endured courageously the scourge, and the greatest torments, which the rage of such a tyrant was capable of inventing, and was at length cast into the sea in 306.

Does not this bravery of the primitive Christians inspire you with the same generous thoughts of offering yourself a sacrifice to God? You have opportunity of doing this in all that you suffer, whether in mind or body, whether from God or man. And if a total peace at any time takes this out of your hands, you have your labors still to offer to Him, as likewise the frequent contradictions of your will, in forcing it to submit to the will of God. You have again the difficulties of your state to struggle with, and the trouble caused by your inward corruption, which will not easily be overcome. If you are faithful in these occasions, it is in your power to make your life an acceptable sacrifice to heaven, by giving it every hour to God. Let not then sloth hinder the offering of your labors, nor impatience take your sufferings from the altar, nor self-love cut off self-denial. For this would be unworthy of a member of Christ Jesus, and fellow-member of the martyrs." The Catholic Year by Fr. John Gother