Symphorianus a Gallic martyr at Autun in the reign of Aurelian. He was cited before the praefect Heraclius because he had refused to honor the statue of Berecynthia, and rejected the influence of appeals and scourgings. His mother supported him with her exhortations to fidelity. He was beheaded without the town walls and buried in a cell in the fields. His grave became so remarkable for cures and miracles that it compelled the reverence even of the heathen. The narrative in the Acta Beati Symph., as here outlined, seems to involve something of fact. The worship of Berecynthia among the Jedui is a historical fact. Gregory of Tours mentions Symphorianus and the miracles wrought by his relics (De Gloria Mart. c. 52). Later tradition says that a church was, in time, built over his grave. The story cannot, however, date further back than the days of Gregory, as is evident from the chosen and even pompous language and the legendary conclusion. The death of Symphorianus is variously fixed in A.D. 180 (the reign of Aurelius), 270, or 280 (Aurelian). He is commemorated on Aug. 22. See the Acta SS. s.v. — Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 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