Cecilia, one of the so-called saints of the Greek and Roman Calendar, is said to have suffered martyrdom nearly at the same time with Valerian, her husband, Tiburtius, his brother, and Maximus, an officer, about A.D. 230, under Alexander Severus, probably in some popular commotion and persecution, since that emperor was favorably inclined toward the Christians. The legendary accounts of her are not worthy of credit. As she is said to have sung praises with instrumental accompaniment just before her execution, she is regarded as the special patroness of church music. "St. Cecilia's Day" is still annually celebrated in England by a musical festival. Handel's "Messiah" was composed for it. Both Greeks and Latins celebrate her festival on the 22d of November. — A. Butler, Lives of Saints, Nov. 22; Landon, Eccl. Dict. s.v.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More