Sts. Nereus and Achilleus

Their story

Nereus and Achilleus were Roman soldiers who became Christians and died as martyrs, probably during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian in the early fourth century. Almost all we know about them comes from an inscription written by Pope St. Damasus, who loved to honor the martyrs of Rome and composed verses for their tombs later that century. According to Damasus, Nereus and Achilleus had served in the army of a cruel ruler and carried out his harsh commands. But when they came to faith in Christ, everything changed. They left the camp, threw away their shields and weapons, and joyfully gave witness to Christ, even though they knew it would cost them their lives. They were put to death for their faith. The two martyrs were buried in the catacomb of Domitilla, on the outskirts of Rome, and a basilica was later built over their tomb, whose ruins can still be visited. Later legends linked them with Flavia Domitilla, a Christian noblewoman of the imperial family, but these stories cannot be confirmed. What we do know is simple and powerful: two men whose job was violence met Christ and chose His way of peace.