Nereus and Achilleus

Who they were

Nereus and Achilleus were Praetorians, the soldiers who guarded the emperor, probably under Diocletian. Pope St Damasus, in the fourth century, wrote an epitaph for them telling how, tired of carrying out orders to kill, they were enlightened by the glory of God, deserted and threw away their shields, armour and bloodied javelins.

They were beheaded around 304 under Diocletian and buried in the catacomb of Domitilla on the Via Ardeatina.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Nereus and Achilleus have been honoured as martyrs since the fourth century. Their memorial on 12 May marks the translation of their relics.

Why that counted as sanctity

Two soldiers of the emperor laid down their weapons for the Prince of Peace, and gave their lives for Him.

Connected on this site

• Felicula Saint
  “The heavily romanticized Acts of Saints Nereus and Achilleus make of Felicula one of the first virgin martyrs and assign her death to about 90 AD.” — Wikipedia
• Pancras of Rome Saint
  “From an early period, Pancras was venerated together with Nereus and Achilleus in a shared feast day and Mass formula on 12 May.” — Wikipedia
• Saint Petronilla Saint
  “The early lists of venerated tombs place her grave on the Via Ardeatina beside Sts Nereus and Achilleus, which excavations in the catacomb of Domitilla have confirmed, finding the church built there over their tombs.” — this site's research