July 27: Feast day of saint Nathalia, Aurelius, Liliosa, Felix and George. Matyrs

During the 8th century, the Mohammedans ruled Codova, Spain, and initiated a persecution of the Christians. nathalia and Aurelius were converted Moslems who decided to practice the Faith openly. After setting aside enough money to take care of their daighter's future, they gave the rest of their possesions to the poor and practiced penance and devotion. Their example proved to be an inspiration for a relative of Aurelius named Felix and his wife Liliosa, who had been practicing her Faith in secret. They joined Liliosa and Aurelius in visiting and ministering to the Christians in prison. They were quickly arrested and cast into prison along with a beggar named George, who belonged to the monastery of Saint Sabas in Jerusalem and had toured Egypt and Europe in search of alms for his house. They were all condemned to desth--the first four for giving up the Moslem religion and George for insulting Mohammed. On July 27, 852, these saintly followers of Christ achieved the martydom they so avidly sought.