Apronian of Rome

Holy Martyr Apronian of Rome is commemorated together with Holy Hieromartyr Marcellus, Pope of Rome, the deacons Sisinnius and Cyriacus, the martyrs Smaragdus, Largus, Saturninus, Papias, Maurus, Crescentian and the martyrs Priscilla, Lucina and Artemia. They suffered in Rome in the time of the persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian (284 to 305) and their successors, Galerius and Maxentius. They are commemorated on 20 June.

Prison and conversion

Emperor Maximian, who ruled the western part of the Empire, deprived all Christians of military rank and sent them to forced labour. A rich Christian, Thrason, began to send through Sisinnius, Cyriacus, Smaragdus and Largus food and clothing to the imprisoned. Saint Pope Marcellus thanked Thrason for his charity, and ordained Sisinnius and Cyriacus deacons. Soon, while helping the prisoners, Sisinnius and Cyriacus were seized and sent to work. They did not only their own quota, but also worked in place of an aged prisoner, Saturninus, for which Maximian gave Sisinnius to torture to the governor of the region, Laodicius, and the saint was imprisoned. The prison chief, Apronian, summoned Saint Sisinnius for interrogation, but, seeing his face shining with heavenly light, believed in Christ and was baptised, then, coming with Sisinnius to Saint Pope Marcellus, received Chrismation. After serving the liturgy, Saint Marcellus gave them the Holy Mysteries. The same day, 7 June, Saints Sisinnius and Saturninus, accompanied by Apronian, stood before Laodicius. Saint Apronian confessed that he was a Christian and was beheaded, and Saints Sisinnius and Saturninus were thrown into prison. Then Laodicius ordered them brought to the pagan temple to offer sacrifice. Saint Saturninus said: "May the Lord turn the pagan idols into dust." At that same moment the tripods on which incense was burning before the idols melted. Seeing this wonder, the soldiers Papias and Maurus confessed their faith in Christ. After long torments, Sisinnius and Saturninus were beheaded, and Papias and Maurus were shut in prison, where they prayed to be enlightened with Holy Baptism. The Lord helped them fulfil this saving desire. Leaving the prison unnoticed, they received Baptism from Saint Marcellus and returned to the prison. At the trial they again confessed their faith and died in dreadful tortures. Their honoured bodies were buried by the priest John and Thrason.

Cyriacus and Artemia

Saints Cyriacus, Smaragdus, Largus and the other Christian prisoners continued to be worn out by labour. Artemia, the youngest daughter of Diocletian, was possessed by an evil spirit. Learning that Saint Cyriacus, in prison, healed diseases and cast out demons, the emperor summoned him to the sick girl. Casting out the demon, Saint Cyriacus baptised the princess. As a reward for healing his daughter, the emperor freed Cyriacus, Smaragdus and Largus. Soon the emperor sent Saint Cyriacus to Persia, to heal the daughter of the Persian king. On his return to Rome Cyriacus was seized by order of Emperor Galerius, son-⁠in-⁠law of Diocletian, who was very angry with his predecessor because the princess Artemia had become a Christian. He ordered Saint Cyriacus, naked and in chains, to be led behind his chariot, for the shame and mockery of the crowd. Pope Marcellus openly rebuked the emperor for cruelty to innocent Christians. The emperor ordered the pope beaten with staves and made a cattle-⁠keeper. Saints Cyriacus, Smaragdus and Largus and another prisoner, Crescentian, died of torments. At the same time the princess Artemia, who was in prison with Saint Cyriacus, and twenty-⁠one other prisoners were executed.

The end of Pope Marcellus

Saint Pope Marcellus was freed secretly by the clergy of Rome. Digging up the bodies of the holy martyrs Cyriacus, Smaragdus and Largus, he buried them on the estate of two Christian women, Priscilla and Lucina, in the environs of Rome, making Lucina's house into a church. Maxentius, who took the throne, ordered the church destroyed and turned into a cattle-⁠yard, and sentenced the holy pope to tend cattle for life. Exhausted by hunger and cold, choked by the stench, Saint Marcellus fell ill and died in 310. The holy women Priscilla and Lucina were driven out of Rome with dishonour, and their estates plundered.