Fructuosus of Tarragona

The Holy Hieromartyr Fructuosus was bishop of Tarragona in Spain and received the crown of martyrdom in the year 259, in the persecution of the Emperor Valerian. His name is important in the early history of Christianity in Hispania, and the Acts of his martyrdom are the oldest Spanish martyr acts. The Church remembers him on 21 January.

The arrest

Fructuosus was bishop at Tarraco, now Tarragona. With him two deacons, Augurius and Eulogius, were seized just as they were going to bed, on the order of the governor Aemilianus. At the examination they confessed their faith in the God of the Christians. The Acts keep the judge's question to Fructuosus, whether he was the bishop, and his short answer, I am, to which the governor replied, you were. The three were condemned to be burned.

Martyrdom

Alban Butler writes that, as he was being led to his death on a Friday at ten o'clock in the morning, Fructuosus refused to drink, because it was not yet the hour for breaking the fast, though he was worn out by imprisonment and in need of strength. Officers were posted around the amphitheatre to prevent disturbance. Nevertheless, at the gate of the amphitheatre, some Christians came near him and one asked for his prayers. Fructuosus answered, in a voice loud enough for all to hear, that he was bound to bear in mind the whole universal Church from east to west. He then added a few words of consolation and encouragement. When the flames rose and enveloped the martyrs, they stretched out their arms and prayed to their God until they gave up their souls.

Veneration

His Acts are mentioned in a hymn of Prudentius and were praised and extensively quoted by Blessed Augustine, and the list of the bishops of Tarragona historically begins with Fructuosus. The abbey of San Fruttuoso on the Italian Riviera bears his name. His feast is on 21 January.