Martyrs and brothers who supposedly served as eunuchs in the imperial court and palace of Emperor Trajanus Decius.

For Saint Parthenius

Saint Parthenius (died 3rd century) was an early Christian saint and martyr from Rome of Armenian origin. He is venerated in both the Catholic and Orthodox churches. His brother was Saint Calocerus. He is the patron of Galicia and included in their list of Orthodox saints.

For his Death

While serving as a eunuch in his wife’s palace, Parthenius was accused by Roman emperor Decius with embezzlement of Anatolia’s money, and with the capital crime of Christianity. Ignoring the financial accusations, Parthenius and his brother defended the Christian faith. The court took their defense as an admission of their Christianity and sentenced them to death. Parthenius was thrown into a bonfire but did not burn. In order to carry out his sentence, guards took flaming brands from the fire and beat him to death. He was buried in the catacombs under Saint Callixtus.

For his Relics

In the 18th century, relics of St. Parthenius were moved to Vienna. In 1784, with the permission of Pope Pius VI, the relics were moved to Zhovkva in Eastern Galicia (then Austrian Empire, nowadays western Ukraine). They are now preserved in the Basilian Ukrainian Greek-Catholic monastery of Holy Jesus Heart in Zhovkva.

For Saint Calogero

Martyr associated with Sts. Faustinus and Jovita. He was probably an officer in the army of Hadrian, stationed in Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy.

Saint Calocerus (Italian: Caio, Calocero, Calogero) was a 2nd-century Christian martyr. He was probably an officer in the Roman army under the Roman emperor Hadrian and was stationed in Brescia in Lombardy, Italy. His life and legend are associated with Saints Faustinus and Jovita, and according to tradition, all three saints were soldiers from Brescia. According to tradition, Calocerus preached at Albenga and was martyred in this town.

For his Veneration

A local cult devoted to Calocerus was limited to the dioceses of Brescia, Milan, Asti, Ivrea and Tortona. The cathedral of Albenga, built in the fourth and fifth centuries, was dedicated to him. The alleged tomb of Saint Calocerus is conserved in the Civic Museum at Albenga. The cathedral of Albenga contains an urn with some of his relics.

Prayer for the Sick

Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence. Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May these special people find lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed. Amen.