Martyr 2nd century

Martyrs Peregrinus and Companions of Dyrrachium

2nd century (reign of Emperor Trajan, 98–117)

Also known as Peregrinus · Lucian · Pompeius · Hesychius · Papius · Saturninus · Germanus

Seven Christians of Italy who, fleeing persecution, came to Dyrrachium, and beholding the martyrdom of Bishop Astius confessed Christ themselves and were drowned in the sea under Trajan.

Feast Day

July 7

Draft

Draft — pending review. Not yet verified for publication.

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Life

The Martyrs Peregrinus and Companions of Dyrrachium were a group of seven Christians from Italy who were drowned in the sea for confessing Christ during the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98–117). Having fled persecution in their homeland, they took refuge in the city of Dyrrachium (modern Durrës, Albania), where they were moved to confess their own faith upon witnessing the martyrdom of the local bishop, Astius.

The OCA synaxarion names the seven as Peregrinus, Lucian, Pompeius, Hesychius, Papius, Saturninus, and Germanus. They are commemorated together as a single named company on July 7, distinct from but bound to the commemoration of Hieromartyr Astius of Dyrrachium, whose own feast falls on June 4 in the OCA calendar (July 6 in the Greek tradition).

Timeline 4 moments Read Hide

98–117 Flight from Italy The seven Italian Christians flee persecution in their homeland and take refuge at Dyrrachium during the reign of Emperor Trajan.
98–117 Martyrdom of Bishop Astius Witnessing the crucifixion and martyrdom of Bishop Astius of Dyrrachium, the seven openly praise his courage and confess Christ.
98–117 Arrest and drowning Seized and held in chains, the seven confessors are drowned in the Adriatic Sea; their bodies are washed ashore and secretly buried in the sand by local Christians.
c. 188–207 Vision and reburial About ninety years later the martyrs appear in a vision to the Bishop of Alexandria, requesting proper burial and the construction of a memorial church over their grave.

Contributions & Legacy

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Historical Context

The seven martyrs are described in the sources as natives of Italy who had come to Dyrrachium as refugees fleeing persecution. Dyrrachium was a major Roman city on the Adriatic coast, the western terminus of the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road that ran on toward Thessalonica and Constantinople. Christian tradition holds that the church there was founded by the Apostle Paul during his preaching in Illyria and Epirus, and by the time of the Trajanic persecutions (98–117) the city held a well-established Christian community.

Their confession arose directly from the martyrdom of Bishop Astius (Asteios) of Dyrrachium. The sources record that Astius, who had succeeded Saint Caesarius as bishop, was arrested under the Roman governor and, after being beaten, smeared with honey and exposed to bees and hornets, was crucified. The seven Italians, beholding his crucifixion, openly praised the courage and firmness of the holy confessor — and this public expression of faith led to their own arrest.

Martyrdom

Seized by the Roman authorities and held in chains as confessors of faith in Christ, the seven were put to death by drowning in the Adriatic Sea. The sources relate that the waves afterward carried their bodies ashore, where local Christians secretly buried them in the sand.

By tradition, about ninety years after their deaths the martyrs appeared in a vision to the Bishop of Alexandria, asking that their bodies receive proper burial and that a church be raised as a memorial over their grave. A surviving commemorative verse for Peregrinus reads, in the synaxaristic tradition: that with the six he descended to the depth of the sea, and contesting there received a crown.

Notes

Named group commemorated as one; cf. Hieromartyr Astius of Dyrrachium (Jun 4, OS-1283).

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