St. Martin I (d. 655)
The last Pope to be honoured as a martyr. Martin I assumed the papal office in 649, without the confirmation of the (Byzantine) Emperor. Shortly thereafter, Martin I called the Lateran Council. Here the position that Jesus Christ had no human will, but only a Divine Will, was condemned. Emperor Contans II, who supported this condemned position, was furious. In retaliation, the Emperor had Martin I kidnapped and brought from Rome to Constantinople. There Martin I was tortured and condemned to death. However, the Patriarch (i.e. Bishop) of Constantinople, though condemned by Martin I for his support of the position that Christ had only a Divine Will, intervened, sparing Martin I from execution. Martin I was instead sent into exile where he died.
Prayer
Merciful God, our Father, neither hardship, pain, nor the threat of death could weaken the faith of St. Martin. Through our faith, give us courage to endure whatever sufferings the world may inflict upon us.