Episode 2015: St. Quirinus of Neuss

St. Quirinus of Neuss, also known as Quirinus of Rome, was a Christian martyr who lived during the 3rd century. His exact dates of birth and death are not precisely known, but he is believed to have lived in the first half of the 3rd century AD.

Quirinus was a Roman tribune (military officer) who served in the region of Neuss, a city located in present-day Germany. During the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan Decius, around the year 249 AD, Decius issued an edict commanding all citizens to worship the Roman gods and make sacrifices to them. However, Quirinus, being a Christian, refused to comply with this order.

Quirinus openly professed his Christian faith and refused to renounce it, even in the face of severe persecution. His refusal to abandon Christianity led to his arrest and subsequent torture. Despite enduring various forms of torment, including flogging and imprisonment, Quirinus remained steadfast in his faith.

According to tradition, Quirinus was eventually executed for his beliefs, likely by beheading. His martyrdom occurred around the year 250 AD. After his death, Quirinus came to be venerated as a saint by the Christian community, particularly in the Rhineland region of Germany.

The city of Neuss, where Quirinus served and was martyred, became an important center of devotion to him. A basilica, known as the Basilica of St. Quirinus, was built in Neuss in his honor. It became a place of pilgrimage for Christians seeking to pay homage to the martyr.

St. Quirinus is often depicted in Christian iconography as a Roman soldier or officer, reflecting his military background. He is revered as a courageous and steadfast defender of the Christian faith, willing to endure persecution and death rather than renounce his beliefs. The feast day of St. Quirinus is celebrated on March 30th in the Roman Catholic Church and some other Christian denominations.