Since I will not be on line for the next three days, today I will leave you with a legion of spiritual helpers to see you through the weekend - literally a legion.
The Theban Legion, as its name suggests, came from in and around the Egyptian City of Thebes. They served in the army of co-Emperor Maximian, colleague of the famed hater of Christians, Emperor Diocletian. They were sent by the Emperor to Switzerland to crush a Gallic tribe that had rebelled against Rome. Before marching into battle, the emperor commanded that every soldier sacrifice to the pagan gods of Rome. With their chief officer, Maurice, acting as their spokesman, the legion refused as they were all Christians.
To break their spirit, Maximian had loyal Roman troops kill every tenth Christian Legionnaire. When the legion continued to stand firm in their faith, The emperor ordered a second decimation. The remaining Christian soldiers would still not obey and were themselves slaughtered.
St. Maurice and the Theban Legion are the patron saints of armies (fitting patrons for this week of Veteran's Day). Their feast is Sept. 22.
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