Pope Martin I reigned from 21 July 649 to his death in 655. He was the only pope during the Byzantine Papacy whose election was not approved by the emperor. Martin I was abducted by Emperor Constans II. He was martyred for the truth that Christ is true God and true man.
Reflection: Gamaliel from the same evil-minded group gives worthy counsel: Keep away from these men and let them alone; for this undertaking is of men, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them... ” Thank God they paid heed to his advice and let the Apostles free. As a result, the Apostles could now carry on their mission without interruption. Every day they could teach and preach Jesus as the Christ in the temple and at home. They began to busy themselves with helping the poor and serving the needy but with a heavenly motive alone. Their Master, fed the crowd with multiplication of bread. But the moment he perceived that they were about to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. Similarly, these services to the poor by the Apostles were never for the sake of gaining any earthly glory or honour and power but merely for the spreading the heavenly perspective.