Maurus, Pantalemon and Sergius

The Holy Martyrs Maurus, Pantaleon and Sergius are martyrs of the second century, venerated at Bisceglie, on the Adriatic, in Apulia. They died on 27 July 117, in the persecution of the emperor Trajan. Their commemoration is on 27 July. They are venerated by the Catholic Church.

According to tradition, Maurus, born at Bethlehem and converted to Christianity, came to Apulia in the year 51 with the intention of preaching the Gospel in lands that were then pagan. Tradition says he was ordained by the apostle Peter first bishop of Bisceglie, near Bari, though the presence of Peter in southern Italy does not seem to be certain.

Once, during a sermon in the city of his see, Maurus was heard by two high officials of the emperor Trajan (98 to 117): Sergius, governor of the city, and Pantaleon, an officer of the guard. Struck by the bishop's words, both turned to Christ and received baptism, becoming his closest companions. In the meantime the Roman proconsul of Venosa, warned of the conversion of his officials, ordered the arrest of both the bishop and Sergius and Pantaleon. Because they refused to renounce, they were thrown into a dark prison, where they stayed ten years. On 27 July 117 the proconsul condemned them to death. Maurus was beheaded, Sergius was bled and then pierced with a sword, and Pantaleon was crucified and also stabbed. A local Christian, Thecla de Fabis, lovingly gathered them and buried them at Sagina, where she built a tomb and an altar dedicated to Saint Sergius, perhaps a relative of hers.