Saint Candidus

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For the Armenian saint, see Cyrion and Candidus.
Saint Candidus

Saint Candidus, by Ayne Bru, 16th century, preserved at Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, in Barcelona
Died ~287 AD
Saint Maurice-en-Valais
Honored in Coptic Orthodox Church
Major shrine Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d'Agaune
Feast September 22
Attributes Military attire

Saint Candidus (d. 287 AD) was, according to legend, a commander of the Theban Legion. The Golden Legend states: "And the noble man, Maurice, was duke of this holy legion; and they that governed under him, which bare the banners, were named Saint Candidus, Saint Innocent, Saint Exsuperius, Saint Victor, and Saint Constantine, all these were captains."[1]

Candidus is called Maurice's senator militum or staff officer.[2] He opposed Maximian, who had ordered them to practice non-Christian rites in his name, stating that "we are your soldiers, but we are also servants of the true God. We cannot renounce Him who is our Creator and Master, and also yours even though you reject Him."[3]

Candidus, along with many others, is said to have been martyred at the Swiss town of Saint Maurice-en-Valais, then called Agaunum. His feast day is September 22.

Candidus' relics were stored in a 6th-century reliquary at the Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d'Agaune. There was also an embossed silver bust of Candidus.[4][5]

Gallery

  • El Greco's The Martyrdom of St. Maurice. One of the figures in the front has been identified as Saint Candidus.

Other saints with this name

  • Candidus of Armenia, Armenian martyr venerated on 10 March.
  • Candidus of Rome, a Roman martyr buried on the Esquiline Hill, whose feast day is October 3.[6]
  • Candidus the Martyr, Martyr whose feast day is February 2.[7]

Notes

  1. ↑ The Golden Legend: The Life of Saint Maurice at Catholic-Forum.com
  2. ↑ John Bury, "A Source for El Greco's 'St. Maurice'", Burlington Magazine, Vol. 126, No. 972 (Mar. 1984), pp. 144-148.
  3. ↑ St Candidus at Saints Alive! website
  4. ↑ St Maurice, Switzerland
  5. ↑ La Legione Tebea
  6. ↑ St. Candidus at Catholic.org
  7. ↑ Candidus at Catholic-Forum.com

External links

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