Genesius of Rome
Encyclopedia
Saint Genesius of Rome (died c. 286 or c. 303) was an actor who worked in a series of plays that mocked Christianity. One day while performing in a work that made fun of baptism he received sudden wisdom from God, realized the truth of Christianity, and had a conversion experience on stage. He announced his new faith, and refused to renounce it, even when ordered to do so by emperor Diocletian
. He is the patron saint of actors, lawyers, barristers, clowns, comedians, converts, dancers, epileptics, musicians, printers, stenographers, and torture victims. His feast day is 25 August.
At this point, Genesius claimed to actually see angels and asked to be baptized himself onstage. Enraged, Diocletian had him turned over to Plautia, prefect of the praetorium
, who tortured him in an effort to force him to sacrifice to the pagan
gods. When Genesius persisted in his faith, he was beheaded.
. His relics are said to be partly in San Giovanni della Pigna, partly in Santa Susanna di Termini
and in the chapel of St. Lawrence. The legend was dramatized in the fifteenth century; embodied in later years in the oratorio "Polus Atella" of Löwe, and still more recently in a work by Weingartner. The historic value of the Acts, dating from the seventh century, is very doubtful, though defended by Tillemont (Mémoires, IV s. v. Genesius). The very existence of Genesius is called into question, and he is held to be a Roman counterpart of St. Gelasius (or Gelasinus) of Hierapolis (d. 297). He was venerated, however, at Rome in the fourth century: a church was built in his honor very early, and was repaired and beautified by Pope Gregory III
in 741.
and Genesius of Rome are not to be confused, in fact it seems that the cult properly should not differentiate between the two.
Genesius (Gennys) died as a martyr in ca. 303 AD. He is mentioned in several sources as having been martyred under the persecutions of Maximian and Diocletian. Genesius was a legal clerk, and on one occasion was so upset by the edict of persecution that he heard that he left his position. He went in search of baptism, but was not trusted by the bishop he found, who instead advised him that martyrdom was at least as good in the eyes of God. Genesius was eventually beheaded.
The cult of Genesius spread quickly out of Arles and into other parts of the empire, including Rome, where a titular church was built. It was then assumed that he was a Roman martyr: hence 'Genesius of Rome'. Later on, even more confusion helped to create an entirely fictional legend, in which he was a comedian who had converted to Christianity half-way through performing an anti-Christian satire, and was then beheaded. This latter story began in the 6th century at the latest.
The existence of remains both in Rome and Arles, however, proves problematic to this theory and there is evidence that the Romans have venerated the memory of their actor-martyr since the 4th century, some time shortly after his death. The dedication of his basilica at Arles was 16 December.
regards him as their patron, and the Shrine of St Genesius in Saint Malachy's Roman Catholic Church
in Manhattan, New York serves as a spiritual landmark for the city's acting community. As the patron saint of epilepsy many turn to him for his help. Since St. Genesius is associated with stagecraft, he is also venerated by stage magicians and illusionists. He is one of the patrons of the Catholic Magicians' Guild.
There is a Genesian Theatre
in Sydney, Australia, which hosts six seasons each year and is a vibrant amateur acting community.
A new association in the Roman Catholic Church
, The Fraternity of St Genesius, has been founded under this Saint's patronage. It aims to support men and women who work in theatre and cinema.
Prayer of Saint Genesius
"There is no King but Him whom I have seen. I adore and worship Him, and for His sake, even though I be slain a thousand times, I will always be His. Torments are not able to take Christ from my mouth, nor from my Heart. Bitterly do I regret that I detested His Holy name in Holy men, and came so late, like a haughty soldier, to adoring the true King. Amen."
At Seton Hall University it is still the custom before each play directed by Professor James P. McGlone to pray to St. Genesius.
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
. He is the patron saint of actors, lawyers, barristers, clowns, comedians, converts, dancers, epileptics, musicians, printers, stenographers, and torture victims. His feast day is 25 August.
Last show and death
At the start of the play Genesius lay down on the stage as if sick. Two other actors asked what was wrong. Genesius said he felt a weight that he wanted removed. Hence, two other actors, dressed as a priest and exorcist, were called in. They asked what the he wanted. He replied, "A baptism." Thereupon, he said, he saw a vision of angels bearing a book with all his sins inscribed. The actor portraying the priest asked him: "My child, why did you send for me?"At this point, Genesius claimed to actually see angels and asked to be baptized himself onstage. Enraged, Diocletian had him turned over to Plautia, prefect of the praetorium
Praetorium
- Etemology :The praetorium, also spelled prœtorium or pretorium, was originally used to identify the general’s tent within a Roman Castra, Castellum, or encampment. The word originates from the name of the chief Roman magistrate, known as Praetor...
, who tortured him in an effort to force him to sacrifice to the pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
gods. When Genesius persisted in his faith, he was beheaded.
Burial and legacy
He was buried in the Cemetery of St Hippolytus on the Via TiburtinaVia Tiburtina
Via Tiburtina is an ancient road in Italy leading east-northeast from Rome to Tivoli . It was built by the Roman consul Marcus Valerius Maximus around 286 BC and later lengthened to the territories of the Marsi and the Equi, in the Abruzzo, as Via Valeria. Its total length was approximately...
. His relics are said to be partly in San Giovanni della Pigna, partly in Santa Susanna di Termini
Santa Susanna
The Church of Saint Susanna at the baths of Diocletian is a Roman Catholic parish church on the Quirinal Hill in Rome, with a titulus associated to its site that dates back to about 280...
and in the chapel of St. Lawrence. The legend was dramatized in the fifteenth century; embodied in later years in the oratorio "Polus Atella" of Löwe, and still more recently in a work by Weingartner. The historic value of the Acts, dating from the seventh century, is very doubtful, though defended by Tillemont (Mémoires, IV s. v. Genesius). The very existence of Genesius is called into question, and he is held to be a Roman counterpart of St. Gelasius (or Gelasinus) of Hierapolis (d. 297). He was venerated, however, at Rome in the fourth century: a church was built in his honor very early, and was repaired and beautified by Pope Gregory III
Pope Gregory III
Pope Saint Gregory III was pope from 731 to 741. A Syrian by birth, he succeeded Gregory II in March 731. His pontificate, like that of his predecessor, was disturbed by the iconoclastic controversy in the Byzantine Empire, in which he vainly invoked the intervention of Charles Martel.Elected by...
in 741.
Alternative interpretation: Rome, Arles or both?
Although some say that Genesius of ArlesGenesius of Arles
Saint Genesius of Arles was a notary martyred under Maximianus in 303 or 308. His Feast day is celebrated on August 25. He is honoured as the patron saint of notaries and secretaries, and invoked against chilblains and scurf...
and Genesius of Rome are not to be confused, in fact it seems that the cult properly should not differentiate between the two.
Genesius (Gennys) died as a martyr in ca. 303 AD. He is mentioned in several sources as having been martyred under the persecutions of Maximian and Diocletian. Genesius was a legal clerk, and on one occasion was so upset by the edict of persecution that he heard that he left his position. He went in search of baptism, but was not trusted by the bishop he found, who instead advised him that martyrdom was at least as good in the eyes of God. Genesius was eventually beheaded.
The cult of Genesius spread quickly out of Arles and into other parts of the empire, including Rome, where a titular church was built. It was then assumed that he was a Roman martyr: hence 'Genesius of Rome'. Later on, even more confusion helped to create an entirely fictional legend, in which he was a comedian who had converted to Christianity half-way through performing an anti-Christian satire, and was then beheaded. This latter story began in the 6th century at the latest.
The existence of remains both in Rome and Arles, however, proves problematic to this theory and there is evidence that the Romans have venerated the memory of their actor-martyr since the 4th century, some time shortly after his death. The dedication of his basilica at Arles was 16 December.
Contemporary relevance
The cult of St Genesius continues today and the actor-martyr is looked upon as the patron of actors and various acting societies, including those which aim to assist actors. The British Catholic Stage GuildBritish Catholic Stage Guild
The British Catholic Stage Guild, the main organisation for Roman Catholics in British entertainment, was founded in 1911. The aim of the Guild, as laid out in the 1931 Year Book, was "to establish and encourage spiritual, artistic and social intercourse among [Roman] Catholics connected with the...
regards him as their patron, and the Shrine of St Genesius in Saint Malachy's Roman Catholic Church
Saint Malachy's Roman Catholic Church
Saint Malachy's Roman Catholic Church is in Manhattan on West 49th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. Parishioners have included Bob Hope and Gregory Peck.-History:...
in Manhattan, New York serves as a spiritual landmark for the city's acting community. As the patron saint of epilepsy many turn to him for his help. Since St. Genesius is associated with stagecraft, he is also venerated by stage magicians and illusionists. He is one of the patrons of the Catholic Magicians' Guild.
There is a Genesian Theatre
Genesian Theatre
The Genesian Theatre is a Sydney based amateur theatre company named in honour of Saint Genesius. Formed in 1944 by members of the Sydney Catholic Youth Organisation, it has since evolved into a fully fledged community theatre in the heart of the Sydney CBD....
in Sydney, Australia, which hosts six seasons each year and is a vibrant amateur acting community.
A new association in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, The Fraternity of St Genesius, has been founded under this Saint's patronage. It aims to support men and women who work in theatre and cinema.
Prayer of Saint Genesius
"There is no King but Him whom I have seen. I adore and worship Him, and for His sake, even though I be slain a thousand times, I will always be His. Torments are not able to take Christ from my mouth, nor from my Heart. Bitterly do I regret that I detested His Holy name in Holy men, and came so late, like a haughty soldier, to adoring the true King. Amen."
At Seton Hall University it is still the custom before each play directed by Professor James P. McGlone to pray to St. Genesius.