Martial the Roman

Holy Martyr Martial the Roman was the youngest of the seven sons of the Holy Martyr Felicitas: Januarius, Felix, Philip, Sylvanus, Alexander, Vitalis and Martial. They suffered at Rome, around the year 164.

Felicitas was of a rich Roman family. Pagan priests accused her of offending the gods by spreading the Christian faith. Saint Felicitas gave away all her property and, with her sons, openly confessed faith in Christ. All were put to torments. Seeing her sons' sufferings, Felicitas prayed God that they might stand firm in the struggle and enter the Kingdom of heaven before her. All the sons died as martyrs before their mother's eyes. After them she too received a martyr's death. Saint Gregory the Dialogist devoted a speech of praise to Felicitas, in the third homily delivered in the church that bears her name.

They are commemorated on 7 February, in the new style.