A 1st-century Roman priest, Nicomedes was martyred for his charity toward the virgins Petronilla and Felicula. After secretly burying Felicula, he was arrested by Count Flaccus and died under the lash of leaded whips for refusing to sacrifice to idols.
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SAINT NICOMEDES, PRIEST AND MARTYR IN ROME (c. 71).
Protection of Saint Petronilla
The priest Nicomedes protects Petronilla, daughter of the apostle Peter, against the violent advances of the Roman count Flaccus.
Saint Nicomede Saint Nicomède Roman priest and martyr of the 1st century. s obtained the crown of martyrdom through his charity towards two pious virgins: one was Petr onilla, da Pétrouille Christian virgin, traditionally considered the daughter of Saint Peter. ughter of S aint Peter, saint Pierre Apostle and first pope, mentioned as the father of Petronilla. whom our blessed priest protected against the violence of Coun t Flaccus, a comte Flaccus Roman patrician and persecutor. Roman patrician, who wished to marry her; the other was Felicula Félicule Companion of Petronilla and martyr. , a companion of Petronilla. Flaccus, seeing that his marriage to Petronilla had not succeeded, cast his eyes upon her companion, and did all he could to induce her to marry him; but his solicitations having failed to shake the Saint's constancy, he resolved to obtain by force or artifice what was refused to his love. He therefore proposed one of two things to her: either to take him as a husband, or to sacrifice to th e deities of the empi divinités de l'empire Objects of the pagan cult imposed by Flaccus. re, knowing well that if he could seduce her faith, he would at the same time win her heart. Felicula generously replied that she would do neither; that, as a Christian, she could recognize no other God than the one who created heaven and the
The testimony of Felicula
After the failure of his plans with Petronilla, Flaccus attempts to force Felicula into marriage or apostasy, but she firmly refuses.
Saint Nicomedes obtained the crown of martyrdom through his charity towards two pious virgins: one was Petronilla, daughter of Saint Peter, whom our blessed priest protected against the violence of Count Flaccus, a Roman patrician, who wished to marry her; the other was Felicula, a companion of Petronilla. Flaccus, seeing that his marriage had not succeeded with Petronilla, cast his eyes upon her companion, and did all he could to induce her to marry him; but his solicitations having failed to shake the constancy of the Saint, he resolved to obtain, by force or by artifice, what was refused to his love. He therefore proposed one of two things to her: either to take him as a husband, or to sacrifice to the deities of the empire, knowing well that if he could seduce her faith, he would at the same time win her heart. Felicula generously replied to him that she would do neither; that, as a Christian, she could recognize no other God than the one who created heaven and the
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Protection of Saint Petronilla against Count Flaccus
- Support for Saint Felicula during her trials
- Nighttime removal and burial of the body of Saint Felicula on the Via Ardeatina
- Arrested by Count Flaccus for refusing to sacrifice to idols
- Martyrdom by leaded scourges until death
- Body thrown into the Tiber then recovered by the cleric Justus