Fuscian

Holy Martyr Fuscian was a Roman who came to proclaim the Gospel in northern Gaul, especially around the present town of Saint-⁠Omer. He was martyred in the year 287, in the time of the Emperor Maximian, together with his companion Victoricus and with Gentian, who gave them lodging. They are commemorated together on 11 December.

Nothing is known for certain about him, for lack of historical sources; the story rests on tradition. Fuscian left Rome with Victoricus to preach to the Gallic people of the Morini, who lived north of the territory of the Ambiani. After a time of separate labor they met again at Thérouanne, where their preaching met with great success. They set out for Amiens to look for Quentin, but there persecution reigned and they withdrew. In the village of Sama (today Sains-⁠en-⁠Amiénois) they met Gentian, a man already advanced in years and open to Christianity, whom they brought to full faith.

Here they were seized. Gentian was beheaded at Sains, and Fuscian and Victoricus were taken to a nearby wood and beheaded after heavy torments, by order of the official Rictiovarus. The legend says that they returned to Sains with their heads in their hands. The presumed tomb of the three is in the church of Sains-⁠en-⁠Amiénois. They are saints of the undivided Church.