The Holy Martyrs Processus and Martinian

Commemorated on April 11

      The Holy Martyrs Processus and Martinian were pagans and they served as guards at the Mamertine prison in Rome.
      In this prison were held state criminals, among which Christians also were included. Watching over the Christian prisoners and hearing also their preaching, Processus and Martinian gradually came to the knowledge of the true faith in the Saviour. When the holy Apostle Peter was locked up at the Mamertine prison, Processus and Martinian came steadfastly to believe in Christ; they accepted holy Baptism from the apostle and released him from prison. The prison head Paulinus learned about this, and he demanded Saints Processus and Martinian to renounce Christ. But they fearlessly confessed their Christian faith and they spat at the golden statue of Jupiter. Paulinus thereupon gave orders to slap them on the face, and then seeing the resolute stance of the holy martyrs, he subjected them to torture: they whipped the martyrs with iron rods, scorched them with fire, and finally, threw them in prison.
      A certain illustrious and pious woman, by the name of Lucina (Lucy), visited them in prison and gave them help and encouragement. The torturer Paulinus soon suffered the chastisement of God: he fell blind and died three days later. The son of Paulinus made recourse to the city head with a demand to immediately put the martyrs to death. Saints Processus and Martinian were beheaded by the sword (+ c. 67).
      Pious Lucina buried the bodies of the martyrs.

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.