⛪ Other Names : Marino
⛪ Died :
• Beheaded c.262 at Caesarea, Palestine • Buried by the Senator Saint Asterius of Caesarea
A soldier in a Roman legion, during the reign of the pagan emperors Valerian (253-259) and his son Gallienus (260-268).
EUSEBIUS, in his Ecclesiastical History, describes the martyrdom of St Marinus. As a man who belonged to a noble family of Caesarea in Palestine, and had served with distinction in the army, he was about to be honoured with the decoration of the vine switch
, emblematic of the dignity of “centurion”, when a rival, who was in the running for the same distinction, raised the objection that since Marinus was a Christian and would not sacrifice to the emperor, he was therefore disqualified. Achaeus, the governor, accordingly questioned him, and eliciting a confession of his faith, gave him three hours in which to reconsider his position. As he left the judgement hall he was met by Theotecnus, bishop of the city, who leading him into the church made him stand close to the altar. Pointing to the sword which hung at his side and then to the book of the gospels, he told him to choose between the two. Marinus without hesitation stretched out his hand and took the book. “Hold fast then to God”, said the bishop, “that, strengthened by Him, thou mayest obtain what thou hast chosen. Go in peace.” Upon returning before the judge he declared his faith with as great determination as before, and was immediately led away to execution.
St Astyrius, a Roman senator in high favour with the emperor, was present at the martyrdom. Wrapping the body in the cloak he was wearing he carried it away on his own shoulders and gave it honourable burial. Eusebius does not say that Astyrius himself was put to death, but Rufinus in his Latin version of the history assumes this, and both the Roman Martyrology and the Greek Menaion (under August 7) commemorate the senator as a martyr.
EUSEBIUS, in his Ecclesiastical History, describes the martyrdom of St Marinus. As a man who belonged to a noble family of Caesarea in Palestine, and had served with distinction in the army, he was about to be honoured with the decoration of the vine switch
, emblematic of the dignity of “centurion”, when a rival, who was in the running for the same distinction, raised the objection that since Marinus was a Christian and would not sacrifice to the emperor, he was therefore disqualified. Achaeus, the governor, accordingly questioned him, and eliciting a confession of his faith, gave him three hours in which to reconsider his position. As he left the judgement hall he was met by Theotecnus, bishop of the city, who leading him into the church made him stand close to the altar. Pointing to the sword which hung at his side and then to the book of the gospels, he told him to choose between the two. Marinus without hesitation stretched out his hand and took the book. “Hold fast then to God”, said the bishop, “that, strengthened by Him, thou mayest obtain what thou hast chosen. Go in peace.” Upon returning before the judge he declared his faith with as great determination as before, and was immediately led away to execution.St Astyrius, a Roman senator in high favour with the emperor, was present at the martyrdom. Wrapping the body in the cloak he was wearing he carried it away on his own shoulders and gave it honourable burial. Eusebius does not say that Astyrius himself was put to death, but Rufinus in his Latin version of the history assumes this, and both the Roman Martyrology and the Greek Menaion (under August 7) commemorate the senator as a martyr.