Getulius
Saint Getulius was a Christian martyr venerated alongside his companions Amantius, Cerealus, and Primitivus. According to tradition, he was a Roman army officer who resigned his commission upon becoming a Christian, later suffering martyrdom at Gabii. He is chiefly remembered as a martyr and the husband of Saint Symphorosa.
- Century
- 2nd century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Getulius died in 120 AD as a Christian martyr.
- ›He is venerated with Amantius, Cerealus, and Primitivus.
- ›Tradition states Getulius was a Roman army officer who converted to Christianity.
- ›He is considered the husband of Saint Symphorosa.
- ›According to legend, Getulius and his companions were brutally clubbed and beheaded after surviving being set alight.
- ›His name means "of the Gaetuli", referring to a North African tribe.
Getulio, Zoticus
About Getulius
Saint Getulius
Saint Getulius (died c. 120 AD) is venerated as a Christian martyr, often honored alongside his companions Amantius, Cerealus (also known as Caerealis), and Primitivus. Their martyrdom is traditionally placed at Gabii, a town in the region of Sabina.
Life and Legend
According to hagiographical accounts, Getulius was a native of Gabii and served as an officer in the Roman army. His conversion to Christianity led him to resign his commission and retire to his estates near Tivoli. The legend further states that when imperial officers were sent to arrest him, they were converted by Getulius. His brother, Amantius, and another officer named Primitivus are also mentioned as companions in his martyrdom.
The tradition holds that Getulius and his companions faced a brutal end. After being tied to a stake and set alight without harm, they were subsequently clubbed and beheaded. Some accounts also identify Getulius as the husband of Saint Symphorosa and the father of the Seven Martyrs, though these seven sons are distinct from the seven sons of Felicity of Rome.
Burial and Relics
Tradition suggests that Saint Symphorosa buried Getulius and his companions in an arenarium on her estate. The Martyrology of Ado places their martyrdom near the 13th milestone on the Via Salaria, by the Tiber River, in an area later known as Corte di San Getulio. This site became the location of a church that housed some of the saint's relics. In 867, Abbot Peter of Farfa transferred these relics to his abbey. Getulius' relics are also believed to be located in Rome, particularly in the church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria, and have been claimed to be in Panama City.
Veneration
Getulius is venerated as a martyr within the Catholic Church. His relics have been distributed and enshrined in various churches over the centuries. The church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria in Rome holds a significant collection of relics associated with Getulius, his purported wife Symphorosa, and their sons, which were transferred there by Pope Stephen II in the 8th century. Parts of his relics were also donated to Jesuit institutions in the 16th century.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Saint Getulius?
Saint Getulius was a Christian martyr who died around 120 AD. According to tradition, he was a Roman army officer who resigned his post after converting to Christianity and retired to his estates near Tivoli.
Who were Getulius' companions in martyrdom?
Getulius is venerated with Amantius, Cerealus, and Primitivus. According to his legend, Cerealus and Primitivus were officers sent to arrest him but were converted by Getulius, and Amantius was Getulius' brother.
What is known about Getulius' death?
According to his Passio, Getulius and his companions were tied to a stake and set alight, but the fire did not harm them. They were then brutally clubbed and beheaded. Some accounts state he was killed on the Via Salaria.
What is the significance of Getulius' name?
The name Getulius means "of the Gaetuli," referring to a tribe of North Africa. This etymology suggests a possible connection to North African origins or heritage.
Where are Saint Getulius' relics located?
Relics of Saint Getulius are said to be in Rome, in the principal altar of the church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria. His relics are also purportedly enshrined in an altar in the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santa María la Antigua in Panama City, Panama.
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