Justus

The holy Martyr Justus suffered for Christ in the third century, during the persecution of the emperor Decius, together with the holy Martyrs Macarius, Rufinus and Theophilus. The four are commemorated on 28 February, both in the Greek synaxarion and in the Orthodox calendars of Western saints.

The Greek synaxarion says that these martyrs died in Rome in the year 250, under Decius, who reigned from 249 to 251. The Western calendars add that they were potters by trade and that the place of their martyrdom is not known for certain, Rome being the most likely. They also note that their memory was honoured in the Italian cities of Bari and Bologna.

The persecution of Decius was the first to embrace the whole Empire: every inhabitant was bound to sacrifice to the gods before the magistrates and to receive a certificate proving it. Many Christians were imprisoned, tortured and put to death for refusing to sacrifice to idols. In the same persecution Saint Fabian, bishop of Rome, received the crown of martyrdom in January 250.

No further details of the life of Justus and his companions have survived. The Church has nevertheless kept them in her remembrance as simple men, craftsmen, who chose death rather than deny Christ. The holy Martyrs Macarius, Rufinus, Justus and Theophilus are commemorated on 28 February.