Martyr Cantianus of Aquileia

Cantius, Cantianus, and their sister Cantianilla were siblings from a noble Roman family (traditionally of the Anician line, said to be related to the imperial house). Their tutor and spiritual guide, Protus, converted them to Christianity. When Emperor Diocletian's persecution intensified, the three siblings and Protus sold part of their possessions, distributed the proceeds to the poor, and secretly fled Rome for their family estates near Aquileia in northern Italy.

They were recognized and arrested at a place called Aquae Gradatae near Aquileia, and, refusing to offer pagan sacrifice, were beheaded by imperial order around 304 AD. A priest named Zoilus buried their bodies. Their cult later spread widely through Lombardy, France, and Germany; a paleo-Christian basilica excavated at San Canzian d'Isonzo yielded remains believed to belong to the three martyrs.

Their feast is kept on May 31/June 13.

NOTE ON THE IMAGE: the entry's former sole image turned out to be a modern night photograph of a building with a clock tower — entirely unrelated, removed.