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Saint Placidus (martyr)
Encyclopedia
Saint Placidus along with Saints Eutychius (Euticius), Victorinus and their sister Flavia, Donatus, Firmatus the deacon, Faustus, and thirty others, have been venerated as Christian martyrs
. They were said to be martyred either by pirates at Messina or under the Emperor Diocletian
.
In their "Acts," this Placidus was confused with a saint of the same name, a follower of St. Benedict (see Saint Placidus
). Thus, the legend of this unknown Sicilian martyr has him go to Italy in 541, and found a monastery at Messina, of which he was abbot
, and where he was said to have been martyred with thirty companions.
The feast day of the martyr saints was not in the Tridentine Calendar
, but was included in the General Roman Calendar from 1588 to 1969 for celebration on 5 October, the feast day of the two monks who were disciples of Saint Benedict of Nursia
from their boyhood, Maurus
and Placidus
. Some traditionalist Catholics continue to observe pre-1970 calendars.
Christian martyrs
A Christian martyr is one who is killed for following Christianity, through stoning, crucifixion, burning at the stake or other forms of torture and capital punishment. The word "martyr" comes from the Greek word μάρτυς, mártys, which means "witness."...
. They were said to be martyred either by pirates at Messina or under the Emperor Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
.
In their "Acts," this Placidus was confused with a saint of the same name, a follower of St. Benedict (see Saint Placidus
Saint Placidus
Saint Placidus was a disciple of Saint Benedict. He was the son of the patrician Tertullus, was brought as a child to St. Benedict at Sublaqueum and dedicated to God as provided for in chapter 69 of the Rule of St. Benedict.Here too occurred the incident related by St...
). Thus, the legend of this unknown Sicilian martyr has him go to Italy in 541, and found a monastery at Messina, of which he was abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
, and where he was said to have been martyred with thirty companions.
The feast day of the martyr saints was not in the Tridentine Calendar
Tridentine Calendar
The Tridentine Calendar is the calendar of saints to be honoured in the course of the liturgical year in the official liturgy of the Roman Rite as reformed by Pope Pius V, implementing a decision of the Council of Trent, which entrusted the task to the Pope....
, but was included in the General Roman Calendar from 1588 to 1969 for celebration on 5 October, the feast day of the two monks who were disciples of Saint Benedict of Nursia
Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...
from their boyhood, Maurus
Saint Maurus
Saint Maurus was the first disciple of St. Benedict of Nursia . He is mentioned in St. Gregory the Great's biography of the latter as the first oblate; offered to the monastery by his noble Roman parents as a young boy to be brought up in the monastic life. Four stories involving Maurus recounted...
and Placidus
Saint Placidus
Saint Placidus was a disciple of Saint Benedict. He was the son of the patrician Tertullus, was brought as a child to St. Benedict at Sublaqueum and dedicated to God as provided for in chapter 69 of the Rule of St. Benedict.Here too occurred the incident related by St...
. Some traditionalist Catholics continue to observe pre-1970 calendars.