Ferrutio

Holy Martyr Ferrutio, also called Ferjeux, was a deacon and martyr of Besançon in Gaul, and he suffered on 10 June 212, together with his brother Ferreolus. They are regarded as the two founders of the Church of Besançon and the first preachers of the Gospel in the land of the Sequani (today Franche-⁠Comté).

Their story, preserved by Gregory of Tours, says that Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, a disciple of Saint Polycarp, sent them toward the end of the 2nd century from Athens to found a Christian community at Vesontio. They settled in a nearby cave from which they began their preaching. They were beheaded by order of the Roman governor Claudius, for disturbing public order.

On the site of the cave the basilica of Saint-⁠Ferjeux was built in the 19th century. Saints Ferreolus and Ferrutio are the patrons of Besançon and are commemorated on 16 June, by the Western calendar (new style). They are usually shown together with the martyrs' palm in hand, and the deacon is distinguished by the dalmatic. They are saints of the undivided Church.