Tyrsus, Palmatius and Boniface

Tyrsus, Palmatius and Boniface were martyrs of the time of Diocletian, put to death near Trier in Gaul around the year 291. According to tradition, Tyrsus and Boniface were officers of the legendary Theban Legion who escaped the decimation of the legion at Agaunum (today Saint-⁠Maurice in Switzerland) and took refuge in Trier. Palmatius is said to have been consul of the city.

What is known of the martyrs of Trier rests on an inscription found on a stone in the year 1071 in the church of Saint Paul at Trier. Together with the officers, their companions died too. The legionaries and those who had joined them were beheaded over three days, according to rank, function and sex.

The Roman Martyrology remembered them together on 4 October. Later the names were separated: Tyrsus on 4 October, Palmatius on 5 October and Boniface on 6 October. The date of 12 December is also met. They are honoured as saints of the undivided Church.