Official feasts used to be an important part of the human community. People would gather together to remember something sacred, express their faith and hope for the future, and / or just be together formally, recognizing each other as being part of a shared community. Few things express a desire for shared companionship and social intimacy more than dining together. Sadly, the gathering together for feasting is increasingly a relic of the past – at least here in the West.
It need not be so! Today we will remember the ancient feasts.
The Feast Day of St. Victor of Marseilles
This is a Christian religious celebration of Victor of Marseilles, a 3rd century Egyptian Christian martyr and Roman army officer. He was widely venerated after the brutality of his martyrdom, and for the work he did to convert fellow Roman soldiers Longinus, Alexander, and Felician prior to his death.
He is a patron saint of millers, torture victims, sick children, and cabinetmakers, and is invoked against lightning. He is also the patron saint of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Victor is said to have been a Roman army officer in Marseille, who publicly denounced the worship of idols. For that, he was brought before the Roman prefects, Asterius and Eutychius, who later sent him to the Emperor Maximian. He was then racked, beaten, dragged through the streets, and thrown into prison, where he converted three other Roman soldiers, Longinus, Alexander, and Felician, who were subsequently beheaded. After refusing to offer incense to a statue of the Roman god Jupiter, Victor kicked it over with his foot. The emperor ordered that he be put to death by being ground under a millstone, but the millstone broke while Victor was still alive. He was then beheaded.
Veneration
Abbey of St Victor
Victor and the three other Roman soldiers he converted – Longinus, Alexander and Felician – were killed near the end of the 3rd century. In the 4th century, John Cassian built a monastery over the site where their bodies had been buried in a cave, which later became a Benedictine abbey and minor basilica. This is the Abbey of St Victor (Abbaye Saint-Victor).
Saint Victor’s feast day, along with Saints Longinus, Alexander and Felician, is celebrated on July 21.
Victor is the patron saint of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. His life and martyrdom are celebrated in the scenes depicted on the high altar of St. Nicholas’ Church, Tallinn.
For a quick virtual tour of the abbey which was built over his gravesite, let me direct you to the following:
What is something to eat to celebrate the Fast of St. Victor of Marseilles?
There is an interesting story associated with Saint Victor (more specifically the abbey named after him) that occurred about a thousand years after his life.
According to legend, a statue of the Virgin Mary was found on the banks of the Lacydon in the 13th century and which would have been perceived as a sign of protection by the little community of the craftsmen. The cookies were thus made at the largest local church – the Abbey of Saint Victor.
¾ cup sugar 6 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened 2 tsp. orange blossom water 1/8 tsp. kosher salt 2 eggs 3 cups flour
Directions
Heat oven to 350°.
Using an electric hand mixer, beat sugar, butter, orange blossom water, salt, and eggs until fluffy, 1–2 minutes.
With the motor running, slowly add flour until a stiff dough forms.
Transfer dough to a work surface and knead briefly until smooth.
Divide dough into sixteen 1¾-oz. pieces.
Working with one piece dough at a time, and using hands, roll dough into a 6″ log about ½” thick.
Flatten the ends of the dough.
Transfer log to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Using a knife, cut a ¼”-deep slit lengthwise in top of log beginning and ending about ¼” from each end.
Using fingers, splay dough open slightly. Bake until pale golden and slightly crisp, about 20 minutes.
Let cookies cool completely before serving.
What is a prayer to say when celebrating the Feast Day of St. Victor of Marseilles?
“Saint Victor of Marseilles, you faced great trials for your faith. Please intercede for us, granting us strength and courage to stand firm in our beliefs. Help us to remain steadfast in the face of adversity and to support those who suffer. Amen.”
When is the Feast Day of Saint Victor of Marseilles celebrated?
This feast day occurs annually on 21 July.
I hope that everyone who celebrates has a wonderful day!
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