Archelaus of Rome

Holy Hieromartyr Archelaus of Rome was a deacon and is counted among the twenty martyrs who suffered in the third century with the maiden Chrysia, in the company of Bishop Hippolytus of Ostia. His name is preserved in the list of those who suffered beside her; nothing more is said of his own life.

Censorinus was a high official at the court of Emperor Claudius II (268-270). Denounced for his faith in Christ, he was thrown into prison, where in the Name of the Lord he raised a dead man. The wonder brought twenty soldiers, the guards of the prison, to faith, and they were beheaded together with him. The maiden Chrysia was brought to trial, confessed without fear that she was a Christian, was cruelly tormented and then drowned in the sea. Savinus was beaten with a heavy hammer, hung from a tree and burned with fire, and in his torments he gave his soul to God.

With Chrysia there suffered Philiclus, Maximus, Herculinus, Venerius, Styracinus, Mina, Commodus, Hermes, Maurus, Eusebius, Rusticus, Monagrius, Amandinus, Olympius, Cyprus, Theodore, Tribunus, the priest Maximus, the deacon Archelaus and Bishop Cyrinus. Hippolytus, bishop of Ostia, the port of Rome at the mouth of the Tiber, hearing of their suffering, appeared in court despite his old age and rebuked the tyrant for his cruelty. The judge gave him over to torments, and afterwards they bound his hands and feet and cast him into the sea. Archelaus is not named in the present calendar of the Russian Church; the company is remembered on 12 February.