Gaius of Rome

Holy Hieromartyr Gaius of Rome, pope of Rome (283-296), died a martyr in the year 296, in the time of the emperor Diocletian. He is remembered together with the holy martyr Susanna, his niece, with the priest Gabinius and with the martyrs Claudius, Maximus, Prepedigna, Alexander and Cuphius.

Saint Susanna was a virgin, the daughter of the priest Gabinius and the niece of Saint Pope Gaius. She was brought up in strict piety and from youth gave herself to God. Her family was related to the emperor Diocletian, who heard of her virtue and beauty and resolved to give her as wife to his co-⁠ruler, Maximian Herculius. He sent to the priest Gabinius his relative, the official Claudius, then his brother Maximus. Both, with Claudius's wife Prepedigna and their sons Alexander and Cuphius, after conversations with the pious family, received baptism. 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.

Saint Susanna was taken to the palace, and the empress was charged to persuade her to submit. But the empress, a secret Christian, strengthened the martyr in her resolve to keep her virginity for the Lord and told the emperor that the maiden would not marry a pagan. Diocletian allowed his co-⁠ruler to dishonour her, but an angel protected her. Macedonius tried to persuade her to sacrifice to the 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 in which the killing had taken place was consecrated as a church by Saint Pope Gaius. Soon the father of Saint Susanna, the priest Gabinius, received a martyr's end, and in 296 the hierarch Gaius also. The saint is commemorated on 24 August.