Claudius of Rome

Holy Martyr Claudius of Rome, a high official and relative of the emperor, is mentioned in the account of the holy martyr Susanna the virgin and of those who suffered with her: the holy hieromartyr Gaius, pope of Rome, the presbyter Gabinius, Maximus, Prepedigna, Alexander and Cuphius.

Susanna was the daughter of the presbyter Gabinius and the niece of the holy pope Gaius (283-296). She was brought up in strict Christian piety and from her youth devoted herself to God. Her family was related to the emperor Diocletian, who heard of her virtue and beauty and wished to give her in marriage to his co-⁠emperor, Maximian Herculius. He sent to the presbyter Gabinius a relative of his, the official Claudius, and afterwards his brother Maximus. Both, with Claudius's wife Prepedigna and their sons Alexander and Cuphius, received Baptism after speaking with the devout family. Learning that a whole family of the emperor's relatives had turned to Christianity, Diocletian sent them into exile. Soon the martyrs were burned at Ostia, near Rome, and their ashes thrown into the sea.

Susanna was taken into the palace, and the empress was charged with persuading her. The empress, a secret Christian, supported her in her resolve to keep her virginity for the Lord and told the emperor that the virgin would not marry a pagan. Diocletian gave his co-⁠ruler leave to dishonour her, but an angel guarded her. Macedonius tried to bring her to sacrifice to idols, and she answered that she offered herself as a sacrifice to her Lord. Then Macedonius cut off her head. The empress secretly buried the saint's body, and the room where the killing took place was consecrated as a church by the holy pope Gaius. Soon Susanna's father, the presbyter Gabinius, received a martyr's death, and in 296 the holy hierarch Gaius also.

Saint Claudius is commemorated on 24 August, in the new style. Their passion is also found in the Lives of the Saints by Saint Dimitry of Rostov.