Caesarius of Africa

Saint Caesarius of Africa

Martyr
Died	c. 3rd century Terracina, Italy
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Feast	1 November
Patronage	Terracina

Saint Caesarius of Africa, also Caesarius of Terracina (Saint Cesario deacon in italian) was a Christian martyr. The church of San Cesareo in Palatio in Rome bears his name.

Life

Caesarius was a deacon of Africa, martyred at Terracina in Italy. Caesarius denounced the pagan custom of having one youth per year immolate himself to the demons by jumping off a cliff in honour of the god Apollo. The priest of Apollo had him arrested and taken before the governor. He was sentenced to be sewn into a sack and thrown into the sea. He was martyred together with Julian, a local presbyter. While the death of Caesarius has been placed as early as 60 or 110, it is more likely that he actually lived in the 3rd century and died during the reign of Diocletian.

Cult

His feast is held on 1 November. In the 4th century, Emperor Valentinian I was cured at the shrine of Caesarius at Terracina. The emperor then decided to move his relics to Rome. They were taken to a church on the Palatine Hill, and when they were later moved to a new church near the Appian Way which got the name San Cesareo in Palatio.

Terracina Cathedral (Cattedrale dei Santi Pietro e Cesareo) is dedicated to him and Saint Peter. The relics of the Saint Caesarius deacon and martyr are preserved in the Basilica Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome (basalt urn of high altar), in the Basilica of San Frediano of Lucca, Tuscany (urn with six bones), and in Terracina Cathedral (urn with two shins and a reliquary arm).

Saint Cesario deacon is venerated in St. Michael Church of Netcong, a borough in Morris County, New Jersey, United States . A bone fragment of Saint Cesario is preserved in this church.

Illustrations life of Caesarius deacon and martyr

Shipwreck of Saint Caesarius deacon in the city of Terracina.
Preaching of Saints Caesarius deacon and Julian presbyter in Terracina.
Saint Caesarius deacon denounces human sacrifice in Terracina.
Saint Caesarius deacon destroys the Temple of Apollo in Terracina.
Saint Caesarius deacon converts the roman consul Leonzio.
Martyrdom of Saints Caesarius deacon and Julian on "Pisco Montano" of Terracina: closed in a sack and thrown into the sea ("Poena cullei").
Finding of body of Saint Caesarius deacon in Terracina.

Sources

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