E03235: The Martyrdom of *Secundianus, Marcellianus and Verianus (martyrs of Tuscia, S02503) is written in Latin, at an uncertain date, by the 9th c. at the latest. It narrates the conversion of the scholars Secundianus, Marcellianus and Verianus in Rome, their exile and trial in Centumcellae, and their martyrdom and burial in a place called Coloniacum, at the 62nd milestone from Rome. Their cult is celebrated in a church in Tuscia dedicated to *Peter (the apostle, S00036).
Creators: name: Mpignot
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Martyrdom of Secundianus, Marcellianus and Verianus (BHL 7550)<br><br>Summary:<br><br>§ 1: There is a great persecution against Christians on the 5th day before the Ides of August [= 9 August] under the emperor Decius and the prefect Valerian, in Coloniacum, which is called Colonia. At that time, the togatus Secundianus, a most learned man in all secular arts (rhetoric, music, philosophy, arithmetic and astronomy) takes part in the persecution and wonders why Christians wish to die for Christ. He hears about the most learned man Marcellianus, who persecutes Christians, and invites him at his home. They start discussing philosophy and come to read Virgil, Eclogue 4, 6-7. <br><br>§§ 2-3: This reading leads Secundianus to preach about Christianity to Marcellianus. After they are joined by their friend Verianus (Virianus), Secundianus suggests that they should believe in Christ and seeks the priest (presbyter) Timotheus of the titulus pastoris. They are baptised on Secundianus’ request, after stating their faith. Then the bishop Sixtus is fetched and signs them with the cross.<br><br>§ 4: The three start giving away their possessions to the poor. After two months, Valerian hears of their conversion and sends a letter to Secundianus requiring him to come before him. Secundianus tells his companions that the fight is near. Although he is ready to go alone, they decide to join him. All three come to the palace of Sallustius (palatium Salustii) where Valerian lives with Decius. <br><br>§§ 5-7: Valerian receives Secundianus in the basilica Asclepii. Secundianus confirms that although he has persecuted Christians, now he has converted to Christianity. He rejects Valerian and Decius’ friendship, speaking against the idols. Valerian orders him to be imprisoned. Marcellianus and Verianus protest and are imprisoned together with Secundianus. After Valerian discussed the matter with Decius, the next day, Secundianus is brought before the emperor and then sent into exile together with Marcellianus and Verianus to the governor Promotus in Centumcellae to be compelled to sacrifice to the gods. They are taken there by 50 soldiers, bound and put in prison, guarded by three hundred soldiers. The next day, the governor of Tuscia Promotus orders a tribunal to be prepared in the forum of Centumcellae. A statue of Saturn and a tripod are made ready and Secundianus, Marcellianus and Verianus are brought in. However, they refuse to sacrifice.<br><br>§ 8: Promotus orders them to be stripped naked and beaten with sticks, however they praise God. Again summoned to sacrifice, they spit at the statue, it falls and is destroyed. Promotus orders them to be tortured with claws and torches on a rack. However, they thank God, one of the torturers is killed and another is taken by a demon who names them as saints of the almighty God. Full of anger, Promotus orders them to be beheaded. <br><br>§ 9: They are brought to the place called Coloniacum, which is called Colonia, at the 62nd milestone from Rome and are beheaded there. Their bodies are thrown in the sea and at night a servant of God named Deodatus collects the bodies that he finds on the seashore together with two heads. The next day he finds the other head and joins it to the bodies, which he buries near the place where they were beheaded, on the 5th day before the Ides of August [= 9 August]. Their prayers flourish in the church of the blessed apostle Peter in the city of Tuscia (in civitate Tuscana).<br><br>Text: Acta Sanctorum, Iun. I, 34-36. Summary: M. Pignot.