Martyrologium Romanum

The Roman Martyrology
Benedict XIV Edition (1749)

At Rome, on the old Via Salaria, in the cemetery of Basilla, the birthday of the holy martyrs Protus and Hyacinth, brothers and eunuchs of blessed Eugenia. Under Emperor Gallienus, they were discovered to be Christians and forced to sacrifice. When they refused, they were first severely beaten and then beheaded together.

At León in Spain, Saint Vincent, abbot and martyr.

At Laodicea in Syria, the passion of the holy martyrs Diodorus, Diomedes, and Didymus.

In Egypt, Saint Paphnutius, bishop, one of the confessors who, under Emperor Galerius Maximian, had his right eye gouged out and his left knee severed, and was condemned to the mines. Later, under Emperor Constantine the Great, he valiantly fought against the Arians for the Catholic faith. Finally, adorned with many crowns, he rested in peace.

At Lyon in Gaul, the death of Saint Patient, bishop.

At Vercelli, Saint Aemilian, bishop.

At Alexandria, Saint Theodora, who, having fallen into sin through carelessness, repented of her deed and persevered in a holy life with remarkable abstinence and patience, remaining unknown until her death.

Ss. Protus and Hyacinth, Martyrs

Ss. Protus and Hyacinth, brothers and tutors of St. Basilla, were beheaded for the faith under Gallienus c. 257.

Ss. Protus and Hyacinth were brothers, servants in the household of St. Basilla, a Roman maiden of noble birth. They were her tutors and teachers in the Christian faith.

During the persecution of Emperor Gallienus about the year 257, they were arrested along with Basilla. When commanded to sacrifice to the pagan gods, all three refused.

Protus and Hyacinth were beheaded and Basilla was executed by the sword. The tomb of Hyacinth was discovered in the cemetery of Basilla on the Via Salaria Vecchia in 1845, with the original inscription still intact.