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| The martyrdom of John and Paul, by Guercino, 1632. |
Lives and Martyrdom:
John and Paul were brothers by affection, if not by blood, and they both served in the Roman army under Emperor Constantine the Great. Despite their military service, they were devout Christians and lived their faith openly.
During the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate, who attempted to revive pagan worship and suppress Christianity, John and Paul faced persecution for their Christian beliefs. They refused to renounce their faith despite pressure to do so.
According to tradition, John and Paul were arrested and brought before the emperor's tribunal. They were given the opportunity to renounce Christianity and embrace paganism, but they steadfastly refused. As a result, they were sentenced to death.
Death:
The exact circumstances of their death vary in different accounts. According to tradition, they were executed by beheading on June 26th, but some sources suggest it may have occurred on June 25th. After their execution, their bodies were buried on the Caelian Hill in Rome, where a basilica was later erected in their honor.
Veneration:
The Basilica of Saints John and Paul was built over their burial site in the 4th century and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Their relics are enshrined within the basilica, and they are venerated as martyrs and saints in the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Feast Day:
The feast day of Saints John and Paul is celebrated on June 26th in the Roman Catholic Church and on July 1st in the Eastern Orthodox Church. On this day, believers commemorate their martyrdom and honor their steadfast commitment to their faith, even in the face of persecution and death.