Tertullinus

Holy Martyr Tertullinus is numbered among the clergy of Saint Stephen, pope of Rome, who were put to the sword in the time of the emperor Valerian, in 257. He had been brought to the faith by Saint Stephen himself.

Pope Stephen, who shepherded Rome from 253 to 257, fought zealously against the error of Novatus, who taught that those who came from heresy should not be received. In time of persecution, in hiding, he baptized many pagans. After his clergy were killed, he was brought to Valerian, who condemned him to be put to death in the temple of Mars. By his prayers a great part of the temple collapsed and the soldiers fled. The saint hid in the catacombs, in the burial place of Saint Lucina, but soldiers found him there and killed him while he was teaching the Christians.

Tertullinus is commemorated on 15 August, in the new style, together with Saint Stephen and the others.