Originally from Apamea in Phrygia, Tryphon distinguished himself from childhood by his miracles and his support for Christians persecuted under Emperor Decius. Arrested by the prefect Quirin, he endured cruel torments before converting the tribune Respicius through his steadfastness. Both died as martyrs following long flagellations after having toppled an idol of Jupiter.
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SAINT TRYPHON AND SAINT RESPICIUS, MARTYRS IN APAMEA, AND SAINT NYMPHA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR IN SICILY (3rd century).
Youth and early virtues
Originally from Apamea in Phrygia, Tryphon manifested gifts of healing and exorcism from childhood while practicing exemplary virtue.
Tryphon Tryphon Martyr from Phrygia, the main protagonist of the narrative. and Respice were, according to the most probable opinion, natives of Apame Apamée City of origin of Saint Marcellus. a, a city in Phrygia. Tryphon began to practice virtue there so early that one may well apply to him this maxim of Saint Ambrose, that "strength is not attached to age."
Hardly could he speak, when he proclaimed the greatness of God, cast out demons, and healed the sick. It was in these noble exercises that he spent the first years of his life. Being more advanced in age, and seeing that Christians were so cruelly persecuted under the empire of Decius, that there was a dange r th Dèce Roman emperor responsible for the persecution of Christians in 250. at many might make shipwreck of the faith, he applied himself to strengthening the weakest and even to providing them with what was necessary for their subsistence.
Arrest and initial tortures
Under the persecution of Decius, Tryphon is arrested by the prefect Quirin and undergoes cruel tortures which he endures with supernatural firmness.
As he did not hide himself, and such a great light could not remain unknown, he was arrested by the officers of the prefect Qui rin. He was s préfet Quirin Prefect who ordered the arrest and torture of Tryphon. tretched on the rack, his skin was torn with iron claws, he was suspended in the air by his feet which were attached with nails red-hot from fire, he was broken with blows from sticks, and his sides were burned with torches and blazing brands.
Conversion of the tribune Respice
Witnessing Tryphon's resistance, the tribune Respice recognizes the divinity of Christ, converts, and joins the martyr in his sufferings.
His constancy and firmness were so surprising that the tri bune Respice, tribun Respice Roman tribune converted by the example of Tryphon and martyred with him. who was present, was quite astonished by them. He saw clearly that nature was not capable of such a great effort, and that a superior cause and a true divinity must be sustaining him in such unbearable torments. Thus, he recognized that Jesus Christ was the true and only God who must be worshipped; he confessed Him and merited to be joined to this glorious martyr whose example was so salutary to him.
Final martyrdom and transfer to Rome
After causing the fall of an idol of Jupiter, the two martyrs expired under the blows of leaded whips; their bodies were later transferred to Rome.
They were both dragged before the idol of Jupiter, and, through the prayer of Tryphon, this statue fell to the ground and broke. Then, the judge condemned them both to be whipped with leaded scourges: which lasted so long that they expired in the rigor of this torture. Some authors have written that they endured martyrdom in the city of Nicaea, in Bithynia. Their holy bodies were then transported to Rome and placed in th e ch Rome Birthplace of Maximian. urch of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Nympha and liturgical commemoration
The virgin Nympha, martyred in Sicily or Rome, shares the same feast day and resting place as Tryphon and Respice in the Roman Church.
On the same day, a virgin named N ympha, Nymphe Virgin and martyr whose relics are associated with those of Tryphon and Respicius. confessing with admirable fervor the sacred name of Jesus Christ, was seized and put to death, and by this means merited the double crown of virginity and martyrdom. Baron ius cite Baronius Cardinal and hagiographer who fixed the feast day on October 8. s Acts which state that she endured this torture in Sicily; others believe that after having suffered great torments there, she came to die in peace in Rome; be that as it may, her relics are with those of Saint Tryphon and Saint Respice, and the Roman Church celebrates a single feast for these three Martyrs.
Sources of the narrative
The narrative relies on the work of Father Giry and mentions the Acts cited by Baronius.
We have preserved the narrative of Father Père Giry French hagiographer, author of the version of the narrative presented. Giry.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.