Victor of Marseilles

Saint Victor of Marseilles was born in Egypt, and he later served as an officer in the Roman army at Marseille. In an age when Christians were pressured to honor the gods of Rome, Victor courageously confessed Christ and publicly denounced idolatry. For this witness he was arrested and brought before the prefects Asterius and Eutychius, then sent on to Emperor Maximian. Victor endured cruel torments—racked, beaten, dragged through the streets, and imprisoned—yet even in chains he became an instrument of grace. In prison he converted three fellow soldiers, Longinus, Alexander, and Felician; they were soon beheaded for their faith. When Victor refused to offer incense to Jupiter and even struck down the idol, the emperor ordered him crushed under a millstone. The stone broke, and Victor was finally beheaded around the year 290, sealing his testimony with blood. He is honored throughout the Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, and is patron of Davoli and Roccella Ionica. His feast day is July 21.