Martyr 4th century

Martyr Acacius the Centurion at Byzantium

3rd century – c. 303

Also known as Akakios the Centurion

A centurion of Cappadocia who confessed Christ during the persecution under Maximian, endured many torments, and was beheaded at Byzantium.

Feast Day

May 7

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Acacius the Centurion, who suffered at Byzantium

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Military Service

Life

Acacius was a centurion of the Roman army, born in Cappadocia in Asia Minor in the late third century, who confessed Christ during the persecution of his era and was put to death at Byzantium. According to the synaxarion he served in the Martesian regiment under the officer Firmus.

When his commander interrogated the soldiers under his charge about their faith, Acacius openly declared himself a Christian. He was subjected to repeated torture, imprisoned, and finally beheaded by the sword at Byzantium in the year 303. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on May 7.

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

Late 3rd century Birth in Cappadocia Acacius was born in Cappadocia, in Asia Minor, and entered the Roman army, rising to the rank of centurion. The synaxarion places him in the Martesian regiment under the officer Firmus.
Early 4th century Confession of faith When persecution of Christians began and Firmus interrogated the soldiers under his command, Acacius firmly and openly confessed himself a Christian. He was handed over to torture and bound in chains.
Early 4th century Imprisonment and transfer to Byzantium After enduring tortures in Perinthus (Pyrrinthus) in Thrace, he was passed to a superior officer, Vivianus, and taken toward Byzantium for further torments before the prefect Flaccinus.
c. 303 Martyrdom by beheading Orders were given to behead the martyr without further delay, and he was put to death by the sword at Byzantium in the year 303.

Contributions & Legacy

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Soldier and Confessor

The accounts describe Acacius as a Cappadocian centurion serving in the imperial army at the turn of the fourth century. The Orthodox synaxarion names his unit the Martesian regiment and his commanding officer Firmus, who interrogated the soldiers under his authority once persecution of Christians was decreed.

Sources connect the persecution to the reign of the emperor Maximian; the Orthodox Church in America's account specifies Maximian Galerius (305–311). Refusing to conceal his faith, Acacius confessed Christ openly before his commander and was thereupon delivered to torture, after which he was bound in heavy chains and imprisoned.

Imprisonment, Tortures, and Martyrdom

According to the synaxarion, Acacius suffered many tortures in Perinthus (also given as Pyrrinthus) in Thrace before being transferred to a superior officer named Vivianus and brought toward Byzantium. There he was scourged and endured further torments, and was ultimately sent before the prefect Flaccinus.

The traditional account relates that while Acacius prayed he heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Courage, Acacius, and be strong!' — a voice said to have been heard by his fellow prisoners as well, leading many of them to believe in Christ. The synaxarion further relates that at night the other prisoners saw radiant youths appear to the saint to wash his wounds and bring him food. By order of the authorities he was beheaded with the sword at Byzantium in the year 303.

Relics and Veneration

His relics were later transferred from Constantinople to Calabria in southern Italy. By tradition the relics were placed at a spring near Squillace, close to the Vivarium, the monastery founded in the preceding century by Cassiodorus; an arm relic was later moved to Guardavalle in 1584 by Bishop Marcello Sirleto, and other relics are recorded as having reached Cuenca and Ávila in Spain.

Acacius is venerated as a patron of soldiers. In the Western tradition he is counted among the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on May 7; a translation of relics is also recorded on January 16, and his martyrdom has traditionally been dated to early May.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints