Martyr Bacchus of Rome

The Martyr Bacchus of Rome suffered together with his friend the Martyr Sergius in the early 4th century, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Maximian Galerius. Both saints came from noble Roman families and held high positions at court as military commanders, esteemed and trusted by the emperor for their wisdom and courage. When it became known that they secretly professed Christianity, informers denounced them to Maximian as criminals who dishonored the Roman gods. Brought to trial, Sergius and Bacchus refused to offer sacrifice to idols and openly rebuked the emperor for his impiety and worship of lifeless statues. For this they were stripped of their military rank, dressed in women's clothing, and paraded through the city in disgrace, then sent for further torment to the governor Antiochus in Syria. There Saint Bacchus was subjected to a merciless scourging and died of his wounds, while Sergius, remaining steadfast in his confession of Christ, was later beheaded in another city. The martyrs' death occurred around 303 in the Syrian city of Rasafa, later renamed Sergiopolis in their honor.