Marinus of Caesarea

Saint Marinus, martyr, was a Roman soldier in Caesarea of Palestine and died a martyr around the year 262. The Church commemorates him on 3 March together with Asterius, and the calendars also give the days of 17 March and 7 August.

Marinus came of a rich and noble family of the city. Being able and conscientious, he had made a career in the Roman army. A soldier in a legion, he was promoted to the rank of centurion. Before he could take up the post, a rival said that, by the ancient law, whoever received such a rank had to offer sacrifice to the emperor. Marinus, who until then had been a Christian in secret, confessed his faith and said that it did not allow him to offer the sacrifice. He was given three hours to change his decision.

He went to a church of the city, to the bishop Theotecnus. The bishop led him before the altar. He showed Marinus his sword and a Gospel book and asked which he chose. Without hesitation, Marinus stretched out his right hand to the Gospel. The bishop told him to hold fast to God, that by the strength God had given him he would reach the fruit of his faith, and to go in peace.

Marinus returned to the legion and refused to offer the sacrifice. He was then beheaded. His remains are said to have been buried by a Roman senator, Saint Asterius of Caesarea, who was himself martyred. The evidence for this, however, is not very reliable.