Marcellinus and Companions

The Holy Hieromartyrs Marcellinus and Companions, namely Peter, suffered at Rome in the persecution of Diocletian, in the year 304: Marcellinus was a priest and Peter, in all probability, an exorcist. They are commemorated on 2 June.

Little is known of their actual lives. Pope Damasus I said he heard the story from their executioner, who afterwards became a Christian. According to him the magistrate Severus or Serenus had them killed in an out-⁠of-⁠the-⁠way spot so that other Christians would have no chance to bury and venerate their bodies. The two saints gladly cleared the spot chosen for their death, a thicket overgrown with thorns and brambles three miles from Rome. They were beheaded and buried there. Two women, Lucilla and Firmina, guided by divine revelation, found the bodies and buried them honourably near Saint Tiburtius on the Via Labicana, in the catacomb that came to bear their names.