Romanus of Caesarea
Encyclopedia
Saint Romanus of Caesarea (also known as Romanus of Antioch) is venerated as a martyr
. In 303 or 304, at the beginning of the Diocletian
persecution, a deacon
called Romanus of Caesarea in Palestine
suffered martyrdom at Antioch
. He was taken prisoner, was condemned to death by fire, and was bound to the stake
; however, as Emperor Galerius
was then in Antioch, Romanus was brought before him. At the emperor's command Romanus' tongue
was cut out. Tortured in various ways in prison he was finally strangled.
Eusebius speaks of his martyrdom in De martyribus Palaestinae. Prudentius
relates other details and gives Romanus a companion in martyrdom, a Christian by name Barulas
. On this account several historians, among them Baronius, consider that there were two martyrs named Romanus at Antioch, though more likely there was but the one whom Eusebius mentions. Prudentius has introduced legendary features into his account, and his connection of the martyrdom of Barulas with that of Romanus is probably arbitrary.
The feast day of St. Romanus is observed on 18 November. Barulas, like St. Quiricus
, is venerated as a child-martyr
. The church of San Román in Seville
is dedicated to Romanus. Prudentius wrote a 1140 line hymn to Romanus, the Romane Christi fortis, the tenth hymn in his Peristephanon.
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
. In 303 or 304, at the beginning of the Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
persecution, a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
called Romanus of Caesarea in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
suffered martyrdom at Antioch
Antioch
Antioch on the Orontes was an ancient city on the eastern side of the Orontes River. It is near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey.Founded near the end of the 4th century BC by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch eventually rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the...
. He was taken prisoner, was condemned to death by fire, and was bound to the stake
Stake
Stake may refer to:* @stake, a computer services company* Equity stake, a share or interest in a business or investment* "Stake", a tent peg* Stake -Military:* Sudis , a fortification carried by Roman legionaries...
; however, as Emperor Galerius
Galerius
Galerius , was Roman Emperor from 305 to 311. During his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. He also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300...
was then in Antioch, Romanus was brought before him. At the emperor's command Romanus' tongue
Tongue
The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...
was cut out. Tortured in various ways in prison he was finally strangled.
Eusebius speaks of his martyrdom in De martyribus Palaestinae. Prudentius
Prudentius
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was a Roman Christian poet, born in the Roman province of Tarraconensis in 348. He probably died in Spain, as well, some time after 405, possibly around 413...
relates other details and gives Romanus a companion in martyrdom, a Christian by name Barulas
Barulas
Saint Barulas was a third century boy who was martyred with along with Romanus of Caesarea by Emperor Galerius by being whipped and beheaded for their Christian beliefs. Their feast day is on November 18....
. On this account several historians, among them Baronius, consider that there were two martyrs named Romanus at Antioch, though more likely there was but the one whom Eusebius mentions. Prudentius has introduced legendary features into his account, and his connection of the martyrdom of Barulas with that of Romanus is probably arbitrary.
The feast day of St. Romanus is observed on 18 November. Barulas, like St. Quiricus
Saint Quiricus and Saint Julietta
Saint Julietta and her son Saint Quiricus were martyred in AD 304 in Tarsus.-Cyricus:...
, is venerated as a child-martyr
Child saint
Child saints are children and adolescents who died or were martyred and have been declared saints or martyrs of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopalian, or Lutheran Churches or have been beatified or venerated by those churches.-List of child saints:*110 Infant...
. The church of San Román in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
is dedicated to Romanus. Prudentius wrote a 1140 line hymn to Romanus, the Romane Christi fortis, the tenth hymn in his Peristephanon.