Gorgonius

Saint Gorgonius was born in Nicomedia in the early fourth century, and rose to a position of honor within the imperial household. When Emperor Diocletian unleashed his fierce persecution of Christians, Gorgonius was among the first to be targeted, precisely because his faith shone so close to the throne. Refusing to offer worship to the Roman gods, he stood firm alongside fellow believers Peter the chamberlain and Dorotheus. Ancient accounts describe how they were savagely tortured and, at last, put to death by strangling in AD 304, choosing fidelity to Christ over safety, rank, and life itself. Diocletian attempted to deny the martyrs the reverence Christians gave to their dead by ordering their bodies thrown into the sea, yet the faithful recovered their remains. Gorgonius’s relics were later brought to Rome, and in time were venerated widely in the West, especially after translations to places such as Gorze in Lorraine. He is honored as patron of Civitella d’Agliano. His feast day is September 9.