Martyr Sergius the Roman

The Martyr Sergius suffered together with his friend the Martyr Bacchus in the late 3rd or early 4th century. According to the ancient Greek Passion, both were high-ranking officers and favourites of the Emperor Galerius Maximian. Envious pagan colleagues denounced them as Christians; when they refused to enter the temple of Zeus with the emperor and share in the sacrifice, Maximian had their military insignia removed, dressed them in women's clothing and paraded them through the streets with iron collars on their necks.

He then sent them to Antiochus, governor of the province of Euphratensis, who owed his post to Sergius. At Barbalissos Bacchus was scourged and died within hours. Sergius was made to run before the governor's chariot in boots with nails driven through the soles, first to Tetrapyrgium and then to Rusafa, where he was beheaded (c. 300). His shrine at Rusafa, later called Sergiopolis, became the main centre of the martyrs' veneration. The Orthodox Encyclopedia notes that scholars regard the Passion as legendary in many details. The feast of Sergius and Bacchus is October 7 (October 20 New Style).