Concordius of Spoleto is a little-known Christian saint and martyr of the 2nd century. There is another martyr Concordius [1] who died in the 4th century.

Concordius of Spoleto
Martyr
Bornunknown
Rome, Roman Empire
Diedc.175
Spoleto, Roman Empire
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church[1]
CanonizedPre-congregation
FeastJan 2nd (Roman Catholic) Jun 4th and Jan 1st (Eastern Orthodox)

Life

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Concordius was the son of the presbyter Gordian.[2] He was ordained a subdeacon by Pope Pius I in Rome,[3] and was reclusive; spending most of his time alone and praying. He was imprisoned during the Christian persecutions of Marcus Aurelius and tried in Spoleto, Italy.[4]

Trial

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The trial was overseen and judged by the governor of Umbria, Italy. Concordius was allowed his freedom if he would denounce his faith and worship a statue of the Roman god Jupiter. When Concordius refused, the judge had him beaten on a rack. After the torture however, Concordius praised Jesus, after which he was thrown in jail. Two days later, he was offered a second chance and presented with a statue to worship. Concordius then spat on the idol and was promptly beheaded, c.175 AD. Concordius was canonized by religious officials at that time, but it is unsure when or where this occurred.

Veneration

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His feast day is January 2[5] (Roman Catholic) and June 4 (Eastern Orthodox).

References

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  1. ^ A Western Rite Orthodox Martyrology, p. 8
  2. ^ "Martyr Concordius of Spoleto", Orthodox Church in America
  3. ^ Baring-Gould, Sabine. "Saint Concord, Priest, Martyr". Lives of the Saints 1897. CatholicSaints.Info. 23 December 2013
  4. ^ Monks of Ramsgate. "Concordius". Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 12 October 2012  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Saint Concordius, Martyr. January 2. Rev. Alban Butler. 1866. Volume I: January. The Lives of the Saints". 12 January 2023.
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