Acisclus
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| Saint Acisclus | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3rd century, Córdoba, Spain |
| Died | 304, Córdoba, Spain |
| Feast | 17 November |
| Attributes | with Saint Victoria, his sister[1], crowned with roses |
| Patronage | Córdoba, Spain |
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Saint Acisclus (also Ascylus, Ocysellus; (Spanish) Santo Acisclo; (French) Saint Aciscle) (d. 304) was a Spanish martyr of Córdoba. His life is mentioned by Eulogius of Cordoba. He suffered martyrdom during the persecutions of Diocletian along with his sister Victoria. Their feast day is November 17. There is doubt about the historical veracity of Victoria's existence, but both martyrs were honored in Mozarabic liturgical rites.
After they were arrested, Acisclus and Victoria were tortured. According to tradition, Victoria was killed by arrows and Acisclus was beheaded.
One 10th century passio relates that the Roman prefect of Córdoba, Dion, an "iniquitous persecutor of Christians," had Acisclus and Victoria cast into a fiery furnace. However, when he heard Acisclus and Victoria sing songs of joy from within the furnace, Dion had them bound to stones and cast into the Guadalquivir. They were soon floating unharmed on the river's surface. He then suspended them over a fire. The fire, however, raged out of control and killed hundreds of pagans. The two saints then submitted to martyrdom, having proved their point and demonstrated their faith.[1]
Their home was turned into a church. During the ninth century, some of the Martyrs of Córdoba were associated with this church, including Perfectus, a priest there.
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[edit] Veneration
Acisclus, along with his sister Victoria are patron saints of Córdoba, and their cult was venerated throughout Spain and southern France, especially in Provence. There was a minor church dedicated to Saint Acisclus on the slopes of Montserrat. The church of Sant Aciscle i Santa Victòria can be found in Alcalà de Xivert, Castellón.
[edit] Iconography
Acisclus and Victoria are represented in art as a young man and woman crowned with roses.
