Sts. Nereus and Achilleus (Martyrs)

Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras: Finding One’s Way to Heaven - Catholic Insight

Today we commemorate the early martyrs Nereus and Achilleus, soldiers, officers of the court, and converts, likely put to death under Emperor Domitian in the late 1st century. Other sources claim Diocletian in the third. Their lives are shrouded in legend, like many of the earliest martyrs. Saint Philip Neri, the founder of the Oratory in the sixteenth century, had a great and abiding devotion to them. We also celebrate their fellow soldier-conv…

Sts. Nereus and Achilleus (Martyrs)

Saints Nereus and Achilleus were Roman soldiers in the first century who served in the imperial army. According to tradition, they converted to Christianity after witnessing the courage and faith of the early Christian martyrs. Upon their conversion, they abandoned their military service, refusing to participate in the persecution of Christians. Their bold decision led to their arrest, torture, and eventual execution under Emperor Domitian. Buri…