Above: Temples of Vesta and of the Sybil, Tivoli, Italy
Image in the Public Domain
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SAINTS AMANTIUS AND GETULIUS OF TIVOLI (DIED 120)
Brothers, and Martyrs at Tivoli
+++++++++++
SAINTS CAEREALIS AND PRIMITIVUS OF TIVOLI (DIED 120)
Roman Soldiers, and Martyrs at Tivoli
+++++++++++
SAINT SYMPHOROSA OF TIVOLI (DIED IN THE EARLY 100S)
Wife of St. Getulius of Tivoli, and Martyr
Her feast transferred from July 18
+++++++++++
No information, aside from names, years of death, and places of martyrdom has survived for many Christian martyrs of the Roman imperial period, unfortunately. We do know slightly more about these five saints, however. Their stories, combined, provide enough information for a brief post.
The narrative begins with St. Getulius.
St. Getulius was a Roman military officer during the reigns of Emperors Trajan (98-117) and Hadrian (117-138). After St. Getulius converted to Christianity he resigned his commission. He and his brother, St. Amantius, also a Christian, went to central Italy, to live among the Sabines. Hadrian dispatched Caerealis and Primitivus to apprehend the brothers. Caerealis and Primitivus found Sts. Amantius and Getulius, who converted them to Christianity. The judge Licinius, under imperial orders, sentenced the four Christians to death. He granted them an opportunity for a reprieve; the Christians, to avoid execution, had to renounce their faith. They refused. Therefore, in Tivoli, in 120, they received the crown of martyrdom via clubbing to death.
St. Getulius left a widow, St. Symphorosa, who also became a martyr during the reign of Hadrian.
God and history have issued their verdicts–against the persecution over which Hadrian presided.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
JANUARY 20, 2018 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT FABIAN, BISHOP OF ROME, AND MARTYR
THE FEAST OF SAINTS DEICOLA AND GALL, ROMAN CATHOLIC MONKS; AND SAINT OTHMAR, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT AT ST. GALLEN
THE FEAST OF SAINTS EUTHYMIUS THE GREAT AND THEOCRISTUS, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOTS
THE FEAST OF HARRIET AUBER, ANGLICAN HYMN WRITER
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Almighty God, who gave to your servants
Saints Getulius, Amantius, Caerealis, Primitivus, and Symphorosa of Tivoli
boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ
before the rulers of this world and courage to die for this faith:
Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us,
and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Esdras 2:42-48
Psalm 126 or 131
1 Peter 3:14-18, 22
Matthew 10:16-22
–Adapted from Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 713
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Leave a Reply