Martyr Concordius of Spoleto, Presbyter

Concordius came from a noble Roman family; his father Gordian was a presbyter. Ordained subdeacon by Bishop Pius of Rome, he lived with his father in fasting, prayer and almsgiving. During a persecution he withdrew to his relative Eutychius near Trebula, where many sick people were healed by their prayers.

Torquatus, governor of the region, residing at Spoleto, summoned him and urged him to renounce Christ and become a pagan priest. Concordius refused, was beaten and imprisoned, then released at the request of Bishop Anthimus, who ordained him presbyter. Summoned again, he declared that Christ was his life. After being chained in prison he was ordered to sacrifice before an idol of Zeus; he glorified Christ, rejected the idol and was beheaded, around 175 according to the Church calendar. His relics are said to rest near Spoleto.