Overview
- Tradition holds he was the third bishop of Antioch and was executed in Rome under Emperor Trajan around 107, with accounts placing the martyrdom in the Colosseum.
- During his transport to Rome he wrote seven letters that teach Church unity, obedience to bishops and fidelity to Christ, including an early use of the word “catholic” for the universal Church.
- A line attributed to him reads, “I prefer to die for Christ than to reign over the whole earth.”
- The day's santoral also recalls figures such as Pedro Casani, Dulcidio of Agen, Florencio of Orange, Gilberto of Toulouse and Isidoro Gagelin, with other calendars noting the prophet Hosea and additional blesseds.
- LA GACETA highlights the feast with a concise biography and a prayer inviting readers to seek his intercession.