Saint Concordius

Saint Concordius was, it seems, a native of Rome. He left his father named Gordianus, a man of great virtue, to go and live in solitude. It was then the time of the persecution of Marcus Aurelius. The pious hermit was reported to Torquatus, governor of Tuscany and Umbria, because of the great influx of pilgrims who flocked to his retreat. Torquatus had him brought before him and asked his name: Christian, replied Concordius. I am not speaking to you of your Christ, replied Torquatus, but of your name. Christian, retorted Concordius, I have told you, I belong to Jesus Christ, and nothing in the world will separate me from my divine Master. Torquatus had him scourged and sent back to prison. Some time later, he sought again to shake him with promises and threats, then seeing that every effort would be vain against his constancy, he had him stretched on the rack; after which, torn, dislocated, and loaded with irons, he was thrown into a dungeon to die of hunger. But after three days, Torquatus, yielding to his impatience, sent two soldiers and a priest into the prison with orders not to leave until Concordius had sacrificed or lost his head. Concordius, instead of listening to their solicitations, began to spit on the idol; and one of the soldiers immediately struck off his head. — Saint Concordius is represented receiving the visit of an angel who comes to bring him food in his dungeon; or pushing away the statue of Jupiter to which they want to make him sacrifice.

Saint Concordius was, it seems, a native of Rome. He left his father named Gordianus, a man of great virtue, to go and live in solitude. It was then the time of the persecution of Marcus Aurelius. The pious hermit was reported to Torquatus, governor of Tuscany and Umbria, because of the great influx of pilgrims who flocked to his retreat. Torquatus had him brought before him and asked his name: Christian, replied Concordius. I am not speaking to you of your Christ, replied Torquatus, but of your name. Christian, replied Concordius, I have told you, I belong to Jesus Christ, and nothing in the world will separate me from my divine Master. Torquatus had him scourged and sent back to prison. Some time later, he tried again to shake him with promises and threats, then seeing that any effort would be in vain against his constancy, he had him stretched on the rack; after which, torn, dislocated, and loaded with irons, he was thrown into a dungeon to die of hunger. But after three days, Torquatus, yielding to his impatience, sent two soldiers and a priest into the prison with orders not to leave until Concordius had sacrificed or lost his head. Concordius, instead of listening to their solicitations, began to spit on the idol; and one of the soldiers immediately cut off his head. — Saint Concordius is represented receiving the visit of an angel who comes to bring him food in his dungeon; or pushing away the statue of Jupiter to which they want to make him sacrifice.

Saint Concordius was, it seems, a native of Rome. He left his father named Gordian, a man of great virtue, to go and live in solitude. It was then the time of the persecution of Marcus Aurelius. The pious hermit was reported to Torquatus, governor of Tuscany and Umbria, because of the great influx of pilgrims who flocked to his retreat. Torquatus had him brought and asked his name: Christian, replied Concordius. I am not speaking to you of your Christ, replied Torquatus, but of your name. Christian, retorted Concordius, I have told you, I belong to Jesus Christ, and nothing in the world will separate me from my divine Master. Torquatus had him scourged and sent back to prison. Some time later he tried again to shake him with promises and threats, then seeing that every effort would be vain against his constancy, he had him stretched on the rack; after which, torn, dislocated and loaded with irons, he was thrown into a dungeon to die of hunger. But after three days, Torquatus, yielding to his impatience, sent two soldiers and a priest into the prison with orders not to leave until Concordius had sacrificed or lost his head. Concordius, instead of listening to their solicitations, began to spit on the idol; and one of the soldiers immediately cut off his head. — Saint Concordius is represented receiving the visit of an angel who comes to bring him food in his dungeon; or pushing away the statue of Jupiter to which they want to make him sacrifice.