First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

The First Martyrs of the Church of Rome are the Christians put to death in the city of Rome in Nero's persecution of the year 64. The event is recorded by the historian Tacitus, by Saint Clement of Rome, and by others.

In July 64 a great fire devastated Rome, and rumor laid the blame on the emperor Nero. He put the fire down to the Christians. According to Tacitus, many were condemned, less for the fire than for "hatred of mankind". They were covered with the skins of beasts and torn by dogs, crucified, or burned as night torches in Nero's gardens, and the onlookers felt pity for them. According to tradition, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul were probably among those killed in that persecution.

The Roman Church keeps their memorial on 30 June, the day after the feast of the two apostles; the Roman calendar received this day in the reform of 1969, as a common tribute to the many Roman martyrs. A Western source says that the Orthodox Church also commemorates them on 30 June, as Western saints before 1054. At Rome the church of Santi Protomartiri on the Via Aurelia Antica is dedicated to them.