Calepodius
Saint Calepodius was a priest martyred in 232 AD during the persecutions of Christians by Emperor Alexander Severus. He is chiefly remembered for his martyrdom and the Roman catacomb named after him. His relics were later translated to the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
Key Facts
- ›Calepodius was a priest who died in 232 AD.
- ›He was killed during the persecutions of Christians by Emperor Alexander Severus.
- ›His hagiography states he was tortured and thrown into the Tiber River with a millstone around his neck.
- ›The cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way in Rome was named after him.
- ›His relics were translated in the 10th century to the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
- ›Some relics of Calepodius are still kept with those of Saint Callistus in Santa Maria in Trastevere.
San Calepodio
Millstone, Tiber River
About Calepodius
Saint Calepodius
Saint Calepodius was a priest who lived in the 3rd century AD and is venerated as a martyr. His life and death are primarily known through his hagiography, which recounts his suffering and martyrdom during the persecutions of Christians under the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus.
Life and Martyrdom
Calepodius is recorded as having died in 232 AD. His hagiography details a brutal martyrdom: he was tortured and subsequently thrown into the Tiber River with a millstone tied around his neck. This method of execution highlights the severity of the persecutions he endured for his faith.
Veneration and Relics
Following his death, Calepodius became the namesake of a significant burial site in Rome, the cemetery of Calepodius, located on the Aurelian Way. His veneration grew over time, and in the 10th century, his relics, along with those of Saint Callistus and Saint Cornelius, were translated to the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome. Some of his relics remain there to this day, shared with those of Saint Callistus.
Historical Context
Calepodius's martyrdom places him within the historical context of early Christian persecutions in the Roman Empire. Emperor Alexander Severus, while sometimes seen as more lenient than his predecessors, still oversaw periods of Christian persecution, making Calepodius's story a testament to the faith and resilience of early Christians.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Saint Calepodius live and die?
Saint Calepodius was a priest who died in 232 AD. He lived during the 3rd century.
How did Saint Calepodius die?
According to his hagiography, Saint Calepodius was tortured and then thrown into the Tiber River with a millstone tied around his neck. This occurred during the persecutions of Christians by Emperor Alexander Severus.
Why is the cemetery of Calepodius significant?
The cemetery of Calepodius, located on the Aurelian Way in Rome, was named after him. This catacomb served as a burial place and a site of veneration.
Where are the relics of Saint Calepodius kept?
In the 10th century, the relics of Saint Calepodius were translated to the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome. Some of his relics are still venerated there alongside those of Saint Callistus.
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