Ptolemaeus of Nepi

The holy hieromartyrs Ptolemaeus, bishop of Nepi, and his disciple Romanus were put to death for Christ, according to tradition in the first century, in the time of the emperor Claudius. They are commemorated on 24 August.

They were tortured by order of Aspasius, tribune of the Pentapolis and Tuscany. They and thirty companions were seized while at prayer. Ptolemaeus and Romanus were subjected to cruel tortures, so that they would renounce the faith. A sudden earthquake interrupted the torments. Aspasius fled, ordering that they be thrown into prison. Eight soldiers who were charged with this believed and shared their fate.

After thirty-⁠two days it was decided that Ptolemaeus and Romanus should be burned. But the fire that was kindled went out. Then the saints were killed by the sword.

A devout woman, a zealous Christian called Savinilla, took their bodies, and those of the other thirty-⁠eight martyrs, to bury them on her land. Ptolemaeus was buried immediately at the entrance, and Romanus in the inner part. The story rests on local tradition and late acts, not on sources from their own time.