Symphorian of Rome

Holy Martyr Symphorian of Rome was the son of Claudius, one of the disciples of Saint Sebastian, and he was drowned in the sea in the time of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian.

Sebastian, born at Narbonne in Gaul and educated at Milan, was under Diocletian and Maximian (284-305) the commander of the palace guard and honoured by soldiers and courtiers. By an inspired sermon he strengthened the brothers Marcellinus and Mark, who wavered in their resolve to suffer for Christ, and through his wonders others turned to Christ; Nicostratus, his wife Zoe, his brother Castorius, the priest Tranquillinus, the deacons Marcellinus and Mark, and Claudius and his sons came to believe in Christ. Claudius brought his sick sons, Symphorian and Felix, to Saint Sebastian, and in the evening the priest Polycarp baptized them, among them Claudius and his sons, with sixty-⁠four others.

Symphorian and the others gathered in the emperor's palace, at the house of a secret Christian dignitary, Castulus. The pagans seized Zoe first, then Tranquillinus; Nicostratus, Castorius, Claudius, Victorinus and Symphorian they seized on the river bank, while they were searching for the bodies of the martyrs. Brought to the prefect, they refused to sacrifice to the idols; stones were tied to their necks and they were drowned in the sea. Afterwards Tiburtius, Castulus, Marcellinus and Mark suffered, and last of all Sebastian himself was killed.

Symphorian is commemorated on 31 December, in the new style, with Sebastian and the others.