Concordius of Spoleto
Encyclopedia
Concordius of Spoleto is a little-known Christian saint and martyr of the 2nd century. There is another martyr Concordius http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc1g.htm who died in the 4th century.
in Rome
, and was reclusive; spending most of his time alone and praying. He was imprisoned during the Christian persecutions of Marcus Aurelius and tried in Spoleto
, Italy.
, Italy. Concordius was allowed his freedom if he would denounce his faith and worship a statue of the Roman god Jupiter
. When Concordius refused, the judge had him beaten on a rack. After the torture however, Concordius praised Jesus, after which he was thrown in jail. Two days later, he was offered a second chance and presented with a statue to worship. Concordius then spat on the idol and was promptly beheaded, c.175 AD. Concordius was canonized
by religious officials at that time, but it is unsure when or where this occurred.
(Eastern Orthodox).
Early life
Saint Concordius began his life as a subdeaconSubdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and was reclusive; spending most of his time alone and praying. He was imprisoned during the Christian persecutions of Marcus Aurelius and tried in Spoleto
Spoleto
Spoleto is an ancient city in the Italian province of Perugia in east central Umbria on a foothill of the Apennines. It is S. of Trevi, N. of Terni, SE of Perugia; SE of Florence; and N of Rome.-History:...
, Italy.
Trial
The trial was overseen and judged by the governor of UmbriaUmbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
, Italy. Concordius was allowed his freedom if he would denounce his faith and worship a statue of the Roman god Jupiter
Jupiter (mythology)
In ancient Roman religion and myth, Jupiter or Jove is the king of the gods, and the god of the sky and thunder. He is the equivalent of Zeus in the Greek pantheon....
. When Concordius refused, the judge had him beaten on a rack. After the torture however, Concordius praised Jesus, after which he was thrown in jail. Two days later, he was offered a second chance and presented with a statue to worship. Concordius then spat on the idol and was promptly beheaded, c.175 AD. Concordius was canonized
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
by religious officials at that time, but it is unsure when or where this occurred.
Veneration
His feast day is January 1 (Roman Catholic) and June 4June 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
June 3 - Eastern Orthodox Church calendar - June 5All fixed commemorations below celebrated on June 17 by Old Calendarists-Saints:*Saints Mary and Martha, sisters of Saint Lazarus...
(Eastern Orthodox).