Christantian

Holy Hieromartyr Christantian was a deacon at Ascoli (Ascoli Piceno) in Italy and died a martyr on 13 May 310. There is no official life of the saint and many details are not certain.

According to tradition he was born at Ascoli about 280 and lived there most of his life. Saint Emygdius taught him, baptized him and made him a deacon, keeping him under his protection. Emygdius gave him the name Christantian to show that he was the first and oldest Christian baptized. He served Emygdius faithfully until the latter's martyrdom.

Christantian was beheaded at the place called Ancaria, near Ascoli, in the time of the Emperor Maxentius, in the continuation of the persecution of Diocletian. Before this he had been tormented in many ways, among them with splinters of reed driven under his nails. Some sources give 9 May as the day of his death, when he was celebrated as one of the patrons of Ascoli. The faithful call on him in prayer against storm, wind and hail. He is patron of the towns of Agnone and Maltignano. He is commemorated on 13 May, by the Western calendar (new style). He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.