Hermes of Rome

Holy Martyr Hermes of Rome was one of the twenty martyrs who suffered in the third century together with the virgin Chrysia, in the company of Bishop Hippolytus of Ostia. His name is preserved in the list of those who suffered alongside her.

Censorinus was a high official at the court of the Emperor Claudius II (268-270). Denounced for faith in Christ, he was thrown into prison, where, in the Name of the Lord, he raised a dead man. The wonder brought to faith twenty soldiers, guards of the prison, who were beheaded with him. The virgin Chrysia was brought to trial, confessed without fear that she was a Christian, was cruelly tortured and then drowned in the sea. Savinus was beaten with a heavy hammer, hung on a tree and burned with fire, and in the torments gave his soul to God.

With Chrysia suffered Philiclus, Maximus, Herculinus, Venerius, Styracinus, Menas, Commodus, Hermes, Maurus, Eusebius, Rusticus, Monagreus, Amandinus, Olympius, Cyprian, Theodore, Tribunus, the presbyter Maximus, the deacon Archelaus and Bishop Cyrinus. Saint Hippolytus, bishop of Ostia, the port of Rome at the mouth of the Tiber, learning of the sufferings of the martyrs, though advanced in years, appeared at the trial and rebuked the tormentor for his inhumanity, calling him bloodthirsty. The enraged judge gave the holy bishop over to torture. After long sufferings they bound his hands and feet and threw him into the sea.

The Synaxarion commemorates Hippolytus, Censorinus, Savinus, Chrysia and the other twenty martyrs on 12 February (new style). The name of Hermes is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Church.