Saint Tiburtius, according to Christian legend, was a Christian martyr. His feast day is 11 August which is the same as

Saint Susanna Susanna of Rome (fl. 3rd century) was a Christian martyr of the Diocletianic Persecution. Her existing hagiography, written between about 450 and 500, is of no historical value and the relations it attributes to Susanna are entirely fictitious.Mi ...

. These saints were not related, but are sometimes associated because they are venerated on the same day.

Hagiography

The story is related in the legend of St. Sebastian that Agrestius Chromatius, allegedly

prefect of Rome The ''praefectus urbanus'', also called ''praefectus urbi'' or urban prefect in English, was prefect of the city of Rome, and later also of Constantinople. The office originated under the Roman kings, continued during the Republic and Empire, and ...

,Both Chromatius and Fabianus are not inserted in the historical list of prefects of Rome. condemned several Christians to death. The prefect, however, was converted by Tranquillinus, father of

Mark and Marcellian Mark and Marcellian (Latin: ''Marcus et Marcellianus'') are martyrs venerated as saints by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Their cult is sometimes associated with that of Saints Tranquillinus, Martia, Nicostratus, Zoe, C ...

, and baptized by

Polycarp Polycarp (; el, Πολύκαρπος, ''Polýkarpos''; la, Polycarpus; AD 69 155) was a Christian bishop of Smyrna. According to the '' Martyrdom of Polycarp'', he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed ...

. Tiburtius was the only son of Agrestius Chromatius; he was also baptized through the persuasion of Sebastian, who was his godfather in baptism, according to this legend.Meier, Gabriel. "Sts. Tiburtius and Susanna." The Catholic Encyclopedia
Vol. 14. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 3 November 2017 Tiburtius lay hidden during the persecution by Roman Emperor Diocletian in his father's house. Accused by a traitor, he was brought before the (allegedly) prefect Fabianus and tried. He confessed his faith, which he confirmed by a

miracle A miracle is an event that is inexplicable by natural or scientific lawsOne dictionary define"Miracle"as: "A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divi ...

, for, protecting himself only by the sign of the cross, he walked barefoot over red-hot coals without suffering any injury. But the miracle was ascribed to magic and Tiburtius was beheadedMonks of Ramsgate. “Tiburtius”. ''Book of Saints'', 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 10 August 2016
/ref> at the third milestone of the

Via Labicana The Via Labicana was an ancient road of Italy, leading east-southeast from Rome. It seems possible that the road at first led to Tusculum, that it was then extended to Labici, and later still became a road for through traffic; it may even have ...

in the year 286. The spot of execution was called "at the two laurel trees" (''ad duas lauros''). Tiburtius is mentioned in 23 epigram of

pope Damasus I Pope Damasus I (; c. 305 – 11 December 384) was the bishop of Rome from October 366 to his death. He presided over the Council of Rome of 382 that determined the canon or official list of sacred scripture. He spoke out against major heresies (i ...

(366–384): :When the sword cut the pious entrails of the mother, :the outstanding martyr, despising the prince of the world, :seeks the heights of heaven in the company of Christ. :Here for you will ever remain saintly honour and praises. :Kind Tiburtius, beloved of God, I beg you take care of Damasus. Tiburtius is spoken of in the

Roman Martyrology The ''Roman Martyrology'' ( la, Martyrologium Romanum) is the official martyrology of the Catholic Church. Its use is obligatory in matters regarding the Roman Rite liturgy, but dioceses, countries and religious institutes may add duly approved ...

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."''Martyrologium Romanum'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2001 ) The commemoration of him that was included in the

General Roman Calendar The General Roman Calendar is the liturgical calendar that indicates the dates of celebrations of saints and mysteries of the Lord (Jesus Christ) in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, wherever this liturgical rite is in use. These cel ...

was removed in

1969 This year is notable for Apollo 11's first landing on the moon. Events January * January 4 – The Government of Spain hands over Ifni to Morocco. * January 5 ** Ariana Afghan Airlines Flight 701 crashes into a house on its approach to ...

, 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".''Calendarium Romanum'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1969), p. 134

References

Sources

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Tiburtius 3rd-century Romans 3rd-century Christian martyrs Italian saints Christians martyred during the reign of Diocletian