Gordianus
Gordianus was a Roman martyr venerated by the Catholic Church, martyred during the reign of Julian the Apostate in 362. He is chiefly remembered for his martyrdom and his joint veneration with Saint Epimachus of Alexandria.
- Feast Day
- May 10
- Century
- 4th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Gordianus was a Roman martyr who died in 362 during the reign of Julian the Apostate.
- ›His funeral inscription contrasts his youth with his mature faith.
- ›Later Acts portray him as a pagan judge who converted to Christianity.
- ›He was accused of forcing Januarius to sacrifice to the Emperor but instead converted.
- ›He was tortured and beheaded, with his body interred beside Epimachus of Alexandria.
- ›The two saints gave their name to the cemetery where they were buried.
About Gordianus
Gordianus was a Roman martyr who died in 362, during the reign of Julian the Apostate. He is commemorated liturgically on May 10.
Life and Historical Context
While later Acts describe Gordianus as a pagan judge who converted to Christianity after being charged with forcing another to sacrifice to the Emperor, these accounts are considered historically unreliable. According to these traditions, he persuaded Januarius to convert, and he himself was converted along with many in his household. He was subsequently accused before his successor, or possibly the prefect Apronianus, leading to his torture and beheading.
Veneration and Relics
Following his martyrdom, Christians carried off his body and laid it in a crypt on the Latin Way, beside the recently interred body of Epimachus of Alexandria. The two saints subsequently gave their name to the cemetery and have been jointly venerated by the Catholic Church ever since. At a later date, Gordianus's remains were moved to the Cyriaca cemetery. In the 1670s, his relics were transferred to the Jesuit College of St. Omer, and eventually to Stonyhurst in England, where they are interred below the altar of the Sodality Chapel.
Legacy
The Princely Abbey of Kempten in Bavaria, established in 752, was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Gordianus and Epimachus, and some of their relics were brought there. A church dedicated to Gordianus also exists in Saint-Paul-d'Oueil in France.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Gordianus die?
Gordianus died in the year 362.
Under which Roman Emperor was Gordianus martyred?
Gordianus was martyred during the reign of Julian the Apostate.
What is Gordianus chiefly remembered for?
Gordianus is chiefly remembered as a Roman martyr and for his joint veneration with Saint Epimachus of Alexandria.
Where are the remains of Gordianus located?
Some of Gordianus's remains are interred below the altar of the Sodality Chapel at Stonyhurst in England, having traveled there from the Jesuit College of St. Omer.
What is the historical reliability of the Acts of Gordianus?
According to David Farmer, the later Acts of Gordianus are considered historically "worthless".
Related Saints
Isidora
Saint Isidora was a 4th-century Christian nun and one of the earliest recorded "fools for Christ." She is remembered for embodying the Pauline ideal of worldly foolishness leading to spiritual wisdom, emphasizing that God's recognition of one's actions is paramount over human glory.
John of Ávila
John of Ávila was a Spanish priest, preacher, and religious mystic who served extensively in Andalusia. Declared a saint and Doctor of the Church, he is widely known as the "Apostle of Andalusia" for his fervent ministry and efforts in reforming the clergy and educating the laity.
Agathius
Agathius of Byzantium was a Cappadocian Greek centurion in the imperial army who was martyred for his Christian faith around 304. He is remembered for his steadfastness in the face of torture and execution, becoming a symbol of resistance against pagan Roman authorities.