Episode 1662: St Chrysogonus

Saint Chrysogonus
Feast Day: November 24
Patron Saint of: Zadar, Croatia
Saint Chrysogonus was a Roman martyr who was martyred during the Diocletianic Persecution (303-311 AD). He is venerated as a saint by both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is November 24.

Early Life

Chrysogonus was born in Rome in the 3rd century AD. He was a man of noble birth and served as a functionary of the vicarius Urbis, the governor of Rome. He was also a Christian and was known for his piety and his generosity to the poor.

Martyrdom

During the Diocletianic Persecution, Chrysogonus was arrested for his faith. He was imprisoned and tortured, but he refused to renounce his Christianity. He was eventually beheaded in Aquileia, Italy.

Veneration

The body of Chrysogonus was buried in Aquileia, where he was soon venerated as a martyr. His cult spread throughout the Roman Empire, and he is mentioned in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum, a 4th-century martyrology.

In the 6th century, a legend of Chrysogonus arose that made him a Roman and brought him into relation with Saint Anastasia. According to this legend, Chrysogonus was the spiritual father of Anastasia, who was also a martyr. He comforted her by letter while she was imprisoned for her faith.

The legend of Chrysogonus helped to explain the veneration of the saint in the Roman church that bears his name. The church of San Crisogono in Rome was built in the 6th century, and it is still a popular pilgrimage site today.

Legacy

Saint Chrysogonus is a beloved saint in both the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is a symbol of courage and faith, and he is an inspiration to Christians all over the world.