Saint Abdon
Persian lords martyred in Rome under Emperor Decius in 254, Abdon and Sennen were condemned for burying Christian martyrs. After miraculousl…
Historical markers
3rd century
97 saints referenced
Saint Adrian, Saint Hermes and their companions
Saint Adrian, Saint Hermes and their companions were martyred in Marseille in the year 290. Their witness of faith is part of the history of…
Saint Alexander the Charcoal Burner
A philosopher of noble birth, Alexander chose out of humility to become a charcoal burner in Comana to hide his learning and beauty. Unexpec…
Saint Anatolius of Laodicea
An illustrious scholar of Alexandria in the 3rd century, Anatolius excelled in secular sciences before becoming a bishop. He saved a portion…
Saint Anterus
Of Greek origin and son of Romulus, Anterus was pope for a little over a month in 236. He distinguished himself by his zeal in collecting an…
Saint Antolien
Saint Antolien is a martyr of Auvergne whose triumph took place in 265 during the invasion of King Crocus under the emperors Valerian and Ga…
Saint Arcadius
A Christian from Caesarea in Mauretania under Emperor Valerian, Arcadius surrendered himself to the authorities to free an imprisoned relati…
Saint Avoye (Aurea)
A 3rd-century Sicilian princess, Avoye (born Aurée) joined her cousin Saint Ursula to flee marriage and dedicate herself to God. As the sole…
Saint Babylas of Antioch
The twelfth Bishop of Antioch after Saint Peter, Babylas distinguished himself by his priestly firmness in imposing public penance on Empero…
Saint Barbara of Nicomedia
Locked in a tower by her pagan father Dioscorus due to her great beauty, Barbara secretly converted to Christianity. After breaking idols an…
Saint Basilissa
A 3rd-century Roman noblewoman, Basilla converted secretly to Christianity under the influence of Saint Eugenia and Pope Cornelius. Refusing…
Saint Baudilus
Originally from Orléans, Baudile evangelized Nîmes in the 3rd century. He was martyred by beheading after interrupting a pagan sacrifice nea…
Saint Caecilius (Caecilius)
A former pagan lawyer of African origin living in Rome, Caecilius was converted by his friends Octavius and Minucius Felix during a famous p…
Saint Caius (Pope and Martyr)
Originally from Dalmatia and a relative of Emperor Diocletian, Pope Caius governed the Church for twelve years during a period of bloody per…
Saint Callistus I
A 3rd-century Roman pope, Callistus I governed the Church under Alexander Severus, instituting the Ember Days fast and building the church o…
Saint Cecilia of Rome
A noble Roman patrician of the 3rd century, Cecilia vowed her virginity to God despite her marriage to Valerian, whom she converted along wi…
Saint Christopher (Christophorus)
A giant of Canaanite origin, Christopher sought to serve the greatest prince in the world. After serving a king and then the devil, he dedic…
Saint Chrysanthus and Saint Daria
Chrysanthus, son of a Roman senator converted to Christianity, transforms the vestal Daria sent to seduce him into a fervent Christian. Unit…
Saint Chrysole (Chryseuil)
A bishop originally from Armenia, Chrysole fled the persecutions of Diocletian to reach Rome before being sent to evangelize Belgic Gaul. Se…
Clement of Alexandria
A scholar and converted philosopher, Clement of Alexandria directed the famous Catechetical School of Alexandria following Pantaenus. A grea…
Saint Columba of Sens
A converted Spanish princess, Columba fled persecution to Gaul, where she was baptized in Vienne before settling in Sens. In 274, she refuse…
Saint Crispin and Saint Crispinian
Roman brothers of noble lineage, Crispin and Crispinian settled in Soissons in the 3rd century to evangelize while working as shoemakers. Du…
Saint Cyprian of Carthage
Bishop of Carthage in the 3rd century, Cyprian was a devoted pastor and a major theologian, guiding his Church through the persecutions of D…
Saint Cyril of Caesarea
A young child from Caesarea in Cappadocia, Cyril was cast out by his pagan father for his Christian faith. Despite the governor's threats an…
Saint Desiderius of Langres
A former laborer from Genoa who became Bishop of Langres through a miraculous election in 253, Didier devoted himself to his people during t…
Saint Dionysius of Alexandria (the Great)
A student of Origen and Bishop of Alexandria in the 3rd century, Saint Dionysius was a tireless pastor nicknamed 'the Great'. He endured the…
Saint Donatian and Saint Rogatian
Donatian and Rogatian were two brothers of illustrious birth in Nantes under Diocletian. Donatian, already a Christian, converted his elder …
Saint Ephesus
A former favorite of Emperor Diocletian born in Jerusalem, Ephesus converted to Christianity after a heavenly vision. Sent to Sardinia, he e…
Establishment of Christianity in Novempopulania
The establishment of Christianity in Novempopulania dates back to the 3rd century with the missions of Saint Paternus and Saint Vincent. Des…
Saint Eubert of Seclin
A noble missionary of the 3rd century, Eubert evangelized the Nervii and cleared the region of Lille. A companion of Saint Piat and Saint Ch…
Saint Eugenia of Rome
Daughter of the prefect of Egypt, Eugenia disguised herself as a man to join a Christian monastery where she became an abbot. Accused of har…
Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr
Miraculously elected pope after a dove landed on his head, Fabian was the first layman to accede to the pontificate. He organized the Church…
Saint Faith of Agen
A young virgin of the nobility of Agen, Saint Faith was martyred at the end of the 3rd century under the prefect Dacian. After miraculously …
Saint Felix of Nola
A priest in Nola during the 3rd century, Felix was an exemplary confessor of the faith during the imperial persecutions. Miraculously delive…
Saint Firmin of Mende
Bishop of Javoux in the 3rd century, Saint Firmin succeeded Saint Privat following the latter's martyrdom. Although details of his life are …
Saint Floscel (Flocelle)
A twelve-year-old apostle in Autun under Emperor Valerian, Floscel was martyred for strengthening the faith of Christians. After miraculousl…
Saint Fructuosus of Tarragona
Bishop of Tarragona in the 3rd century, Fructuosus was arrested with his deacons Augurius and Eulogius under the emperors Valerian and Galli…
Saint Fuscian, Saint Victoricus and Saint Gentian
Fuscien and Victoric, 3rd-century Roman missionaries, evangelized northern Gaul before being welcomed in Sains by Gentien. All three were ma…
Saint Galation
The son of parents converted by the hermit Onuphrius in Emesa, Galation lived a life of chastity with his wife Episteme before withdrawing i…
Saint Genou (Genulfe)
Sent by the Roman pontiff around 260, Genou evangelized Cahors with his father Genit. After surviving the stake and resurrecting the governo…
Saint Germanus of Besançon
The third bishop of Besançon in the 3rd century, Germain came from a noble Gallo-Roman family. After serving his diocese with zeal and craft…
Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus (Bishop of Neocaesarea)
A disciple of Origen and Bishop of Neocaesarea in the 3rd century, Gregory is famous for the many miracles that earned him the surname Thaum…
Saint Guryas
Saint Gurias was a Christian of Edessa who led a life of secluded piety with his companion Samonas. Under the persecution of Diocletian, the…
Saint Hippolytus the Jailer
A Roman soldier and jailer converted by Saint Lawrence, Hippolytus was martyred under Emperor Valerian for burying his master. After refusin…
Holy Martyrs of Charity of Alexandria
During the reign of Gallienus, as a devastating plague struck Alexandria, a group of clergy and laity devoted themselves to the service of t…
Saint Isidore of Chios
A Christian soldier enlisted in Chios under Emperor Decius, Isidore was denounced by a jealous centurion for his faith. Despite the torture …
Saint Julia of Troyes
A young Christian from Troyes vowed to virginity, Julia was taken captive to Germania by Prince Claudius in 247. She converted her master th…
Saint Lawrence (Archdeacon of Rome)
Archdeacon of Rome under Pope Sixtus II, Lawrence was responsible for the administration of Church property. During the persecution of Valer…
Saint Lucius I (Pope)
A native of Tuscany, Lucius I succeeded Saint Cornelius as pope in 252. After experiencing exile under Emperor Gallus, he returned to Rome w…
Saint Mammet (Mammerce)
A deacon and companion of Saint Austremoine in the 3rd century, Saint Mammet successfully evangelized Upper Auvergne, particularly the regio…
Saint Marcellus and Saint Anastasius
Roman Christians of the 3rd century, Marcel and Anastasius fled to Gaul and stopped in Argenton, where Marcel miraculously healed a widow's …
Saint Marcellus the Centurion and his children
A Roman centurion in Gallaecia in the 3rd century, Marcellus converted to Christianity with his wife Nonna and their twelve children. During…
Saint Maurice and his companions
Leader of the Theban Legion under Emperor Maximian, Maurice and his soldiers refused to persecute their fellow Christians and to sacrifice t…
Saint Maximus
Persian nobles converted to Christianity, Maximus and Olympias were martyred under Emperor Decius in 251. After enduring various torments in…
Saint Maximus of Asia
A merchant in Asia during the 3rd century, Maximus courageously confessed his Christian faith following the edicts of Emperor Decius. After …
Saint Mustiola
A Roman patrician and relative of Emperor Claudius II, Mustiola converted to Christianity and brought her mother Artemia with her. After fle…
Saint Nectarius (Victorinus)
The first known Bishop of Poitiers from 290, Nectarius (often identified with Victorinus) was likely of Eastern origin. An ecclesiastical wr…
Saint Nino
A Christian captive taken to Iberia in the 3rd or 4th century, she converted her masters through her piety and miracles, notably the healing…
Origen of Alexandria
Origen, born around 185 in Egypt, was the greatest scholar of the early Church and directed the school of Alexandria from the age of 18. Des…
Saint Patroclus (Parre)
Born into an illustrious family of Troyes, Patroclus (or Parre) chose a solitary life before being arrested during the persecution of Aureli…
Saint Philomena (19th-century wonderworker)
Greek princess martyred in Rome at the age of thirteen under Diocletian for refusing to break her vow of virginity. Her relics, discovered i…
Saint Polychronius
Bishop of Babylon in the 3rd century, Polychronius was arrested with his clergy under Emperor Decius. Having refused to sacrifice to idols a…
Saint Pontian
A 3rd-century Roman pope, Pontian was exiled to Sardinia under Emperor Alexander Severus. A victim of the sixth general persecution unleashe…
Saint Potamiena
A Christian slave in Alexandria and disciple of Origen, Potamiena refused the advances of her master. She was condemned by the prefect Aquil…
Saint Priscus (Prix) and his companions
Citizens of Besançon in the 3rd century, Priscus and his companions fled the persecution of Emperor Aurelian to take refuge in the forests o…
Saint Privat of Mende
Bishop of Mende in the 3rd century, Privat distinguished himself by his charity toward the poor and his life of prayer in a cave. During the…
Saint Prudentius (Prouents)
A deacon from Narbonne in the 3rd century, Saint Prudent was martyred by pagans who crushed his skull. His relics were transferred to the Ab…
Saint Quentin of Rome
The son of a Roman senator, Quentin evangelized the Amiens region in the 3rd century. Arrested by the prefect Rictiovarus, he endured cruel …
Saint Quirinus of Tegernsee
Presented by tradition as the son of Emperor Philip, Quirinus was baptized by Pope Fabian before being martyred under Claudius II in 269. Hi…
Saint Restituta
A 3rd-century Roman patrician, Restituta refused marriage to dedicate herself to Christ. Guided by an angel to Sora, she performed miracles …
Saint Reverian of Autun
A missionary bishop sent from Rome by Pope Felix in the 3rd century, Saint Révérien evangelized Autun during a period of great calamities. H…
Saints Felix, Fortunatus and Achilleus
Sent by Saint Irenaeus of Lyon to evangelize Valence, the priest Felix, Fortunatus, and the deacon Achilleus converted a large part of the c…
Saints Florentin, Hilary, and Aphrodisius
Christian soldiers in Burgundy in the 3rd century, Florentin and Hilaire were captured by the Vandal leader Chrocus. After miraculously surv…
Saints James, Marian, Agapius and Emilian
James, a deacon, and Marian, a reader, were arrested in Numidia during the persecutions of the 3rd century. After enduring cruel torments in…
Saints Justa and Rufina
Sisters and potters in Seville in the 3rd century, Justa and Rufina refused to sell their vases for a sacrifice to Venus. After breaking the…
Saints Rufina and Secunda
Roman sisters of noble lineage, Rufina and Secunda refused to apostatize despite the pressure from their fiancés during the persecution of V…
Saints Rufinus and Valerius
Roman or local nobles charged with the stewardship of the imperial palace of Bazoches, Rufinus and Valerius evangelized the Soissonnais thro…
Saint Savinian (Sabinien)
Originally from Samos, Savinien fled to Gaul to practice his Christian faith. After converting many people in Troyes, he endured various tor…
Saint Sebastian (Defender of the Church)
A high-ranking officer in the Praetorian Guard in Rome, Sebastian used his position to support persecuted Christians. Condemned by Diocletia…
Saint Secundina
A virgin of Anagni instructed by Saint Magnus, Secondina was martyred in 257 during the reign of Decius after being accused of magic. Despit…
Seven Blessed Sleeper Brothers
During the persecution of Decius, seven young Christians of Ephesus hid in a cave where they were walled in. They fell into a miraculous sle…
Saint Sixtus II (Xystus)
An Athenian philosopher who converted, Sixtus II became pope in 257 during the persecution of Valerian. Known for his gentleness, he eased t…
Saint Stephen I, Pope and Martyr
Pope from 254 to 257, Stephen I defended the apostolic tradition against the rebaptism of heretics. During the persecution of Valerian, he c…
Saint Susanna of Rome
Niece of Pope Saint Caius and a relative of Emperor Diocletian, Susanna refused to marry Maximian Galerius to remain faithful to her vow of …
Saint Tertulla and Saint Antonia
Christian virgins living in Africa in the 3rd century, Tertulla and Antonia were arrested at Mugues during the persecution of Cirtha. Under …
Saint Theogenes of Hippo
Bishop of Hippo in the 3rd century, Theogenes participated in the Council of Carthage under the authority of Saint Cyprian. He was martyred …
Saint Thyrsus
Converted by the courage of the martyr Leucius under Emperor Decius, Thyrsus endured countless miraculously harmless tortures before dying i…
Saint Tiburtius
Son of the prefect of Rome Chromatius, Tiburtius converted to Christianity under the influence of Saint Sebastian. After miraculously surviv…
Saint Timothy and Saint Apollinaris
Coming from the East to evangelize Reims in the 3rd century, Timothy was martyred with his guard Apollinaris, who was converted by his stead…
Saint Tryphon
Originally from Apamea in Phrygia, Tryphon distinguished himself from childhood by his miracles and his support for Christians persecuted un…
Saint Urban I, Pope
Successor to Saint Callixtus in the 3rd century, Saint Urban I organized the administration of Church property and liturgical worship. Altho…
Saint Valentine of Rome
A Roman priest under Claudius II, Valentine was arrested for his radiant faith. After restoring sight to the daughter of the judge Asterius …
Saint Valentine of Terni
Bishop of Terni in the 3rd century, Valentine converted the philosopher Craton and several disciples after miraculously healing his son. Ref…
Saint Venantius of Camerino
A fifteen-year-old Christian martyred in Camerino under Emperor Decius, Saint Venantius miraculously survived numerous torments (fire, lions…
Saint Victor of Marseille
A Roman soldier in Marseille under Maximian, Victor encouraged persecuted Christians before being arrested. After refusing to sacrifice to i…
Saint Victoria of Tivoli
A noble Christian from Tivoli in the 3rd century, Victoria renounced her marriage to the pagan Eugenius after being convinced by Saint Anato…
Saint Vincent of Collioure
A citizen of Collioure arrested under Diocletian, Vincent refused to sacrifice to idols despite the tortures inflicted by the governor Dacia…