Abachum
Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum were a family from Persia who migrated to Rome and were martyred in 270 for their compassion towards Christian martyrs. They are remembered for their familial unity and their faith, which led to their condemnation and execution under Judge Muscianus or Marcianus.
- Feast Day
- January 19
- Century
- 3rd century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›They were a married couple with their two sons, forming a family of four saints.
- ›They originated from Persia and traveled to Rome.
- ›They were martyred in 270 for sympathizing with and burying Christian martyrs.
- ›Marius and his sons were beheaded on the Via Cornelia and their bodies burned.
- ›Martha was killed at Nimpha or Nymphae Catabassi, reportedly cast into a well.
- ›Their veneration is recorded on January 19 in the Roman Martyrology.
About Abachum
Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum
Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum are recognized as martyrs within the tradition of the Catholic Church. Their story, primarily preserved in a largely legendary passio dating from the 6th century, depicts them as a family unit consisting of a married couple and their two sons. They are said to have originated from Persia and traveled to Rome.
Life and Martyrdom
According to their hagiography, the family's devotion and sympathy towards Christian martyrs led to their own persecution and eventual martyrdom in 270 AD. Their actions involved aiding and burying the bodies of Christians who had been martyred. This act of charity drew the attention of the authorities, and they were apprehended and brought before a judge, identified as Muscianus or Marcianus. Despite attempts to persuade them to renounce their faith, the family remained steadfast. Marius and his two sons were subsequently beheaded on the Via Cornelia, and their bodies were burned. Martha met her end at a location known as in Nimpha or Nymphae Catabassi, thirteen miles from Rome, with tradition suggesting she was cast into a well.
Veneration and Relics
Tradition holds that a Roman lady named Felicitas was instrumental in securing the remains of the martyred family. She is said to have retrieved the partially consumed remains of Marius and his sons, along with Martha's body from the well, and had them secretly interred on her estate at Buxus, modern-day Boccea. This event is traditionally marked on January 20th. A church later arose at Boccea, which became a pilgrimage site during the Middle Ages.
Over time, the relics of these martyrs underwent various transfers. Portions were moved to churches in Rome, such as Sant'Adriano al Foro and Santa Prassede. Some relics were also sent to Eginhard, the biographer of Charlemagne, who placed them in the monastery of Seligenstadt. The presence of relics was noted at Prüm Abbey in the early 11th century. The original reliquary chest was destroyed during the French occupation at the end of the 18th century, with the current chest dating from the 19th century.
Liturgical Commemoration
The martyrs are inscribed in the current Roman Martyrology on January 19th. Their feast was a regular observance on this date in the General Roman Calendar from the 9th century until 1969. Their exclusion from the calendar at that time was attributed to the uncertainty surrounding their lives, with only their names, place of burial (the cemetery Ad Nymphas on the Via Cornelia), and the day of their burial (January 19 or 20) being known with certainty. The church in Rome named Santi Mario e Compagni Martiri (Saint Marius and Companion Martyrs) is dedicated in their honor.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum?
They were four saints from the same family, consisting of a married couple and their two sons, who came from Persia to Rome. According to their passio, they were martyred in 270.
Why were they martyred?
They were martyred for sympathizing with Christian martyrs and burying their bodies. Their actions exposed them to persecution by the judge Muscianus or Marcianus.
How were they martyred?
Marius and his two sons were beheaded on the Via Cornelia, and their bodies were subsequently burned. Martha was killed at a place called Nimpha or Nymphae Catabassi, tradition states she was cast into a well.
When is their feast day?
Their feast or commemoration is inscribed in the current Roman Martyrology on January 19. This date was included in the General Roman Calendar from the 9th century to 1969.
What is known about their relics?
According to tradition, a Roman lady named Felicitas secured their remains and had them secretly interred. Some relics were transferred to churches in Rome and also sent to Eginhard in Germany. The original reliquary chest was destroyed in the late 18th century, with the current one dating from the 19th century.
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