| Saints Tiburtius and Susanna | |
|---|---|
Saint Susanna |
|
| Martyrs | |
| Died | 3rd century Rome |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 11 August |
Saints Tiburtius and Susanna were two Roman Catholic martyrs, the feast day of each of whom is 11 August. The saints were not related, but are simply venerated on the same day.
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The story is related in the legend of St. Sebastian that Chromatius, prefect of Rome, condemned several Christians to death. The prefect, however, was converted by St. Tranquillinus, father of Mark and Marcellian, and baptized by Polycarp.[1]
Tiburtius, the only son of Chromatius, was also baptized through the persuasion of Sebastian, who was his godfather in baptism.
Tiburtius lay hidden during the persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian in his father's house. Accused by a traitor, he was brought before the prefect Fabianus and tried. He confessed his faith which he confirmed by a miracle, for protecting himself only by the sign of the cross he walked over red-hot coals barefoot without suffering any injury. But the miracle was ascribed to magic and Tiburtius was beheaded at the third mile-stone of the Via Labicana in the year 286. The spot of execution was called "at the two laurel trees" (ad duas lauros).
Tiburtius is mentioned in the Roman Martyrology for 11 August in the following terms: "At Rome, in the cemetery at the two laurel trees at the third milestone on the Via Labicana, Saint Tiburtius, martyr, whose praises Pope Saint Damasus sang." [2] The commemoration of him that was included in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints required to be observed wherever the Roman Rite is celebrated was removed in 1969, because "apart from his name, the only thing known of him is that he was buried in the Inter duas lauros cemetery on the Via Labicana on an 11 August".[3]
Saint Susanna, virgin and martyr, is said to have been the daughter of Saint Gabinus of Rome. According to her Acts, she was beheaded about the year 295, at the command of Diocletian, in her father's house, which was turned into a church, together with the adjoining one belonging to her uncle, the prefect Caius or, according to other accounts, Pope Caius. The church became known as Sancta Susanna ad duas domos (cf. Kehr, "Italia pontificia", I, 61 seq.).
Susanna is mentioned in the Roman Martyrology for 11 August in the following terms: "At Rome, commemoration of Saint Susanna, in whose name, which was mentioned among the martyrs in ancient lists, the basilica of the titular church of Gaius at the Baths of Diocletian was dedicated to God in the sixth century."[4] The commemoration of her that was included in the Roman Catholic calendar of saints required to be observed wherever the Roman Rite is celebrated was removed in 1969 because of the legendary character of the Acta of her martyrdom.[5]