Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And Saints Marcellinus and Peter

Stand In The Gap With Us And Saints Marcellinus and Peter 6/2/2024.  Saints Marcellinus and Peter, you bravely laid down your lives for the sake of the Gospel and, in doing so, spiritually befriended all those who would be inspired by your witness.  

Saints Marcellinus and Peter were early Christian martyrs whose courage in the face of death has inspired many Christians for centuries. Their names are invoked in the Roman Canon each time the Mass is said, and they are included in the Eucharistic Prayer. They are also celebrated on their own feast day.

It was at the mid-point of this persecution, around 303, that a Roman exorcist by the name of Peter was imprisoned for his faith. While in prison, tradition holds that Peter freed Paulina, the daughter of the prison-keeper Artemius, from demonic influence by his prayers.

This demonstration of Christ's power over demons is said to have brought about the conversion of Paulina, Artemius, his wife, and the entire household, all of whom were baptized by the Roman priest Marcellinus.

The catacomb of Saints Marcellinus and Peter derives its name from the two martyrs buried within it. The story behind the life of these two martyrs goes back to the time of the Emperor Diocletian. St Marcellinus and St Peter were slain during the persecution of 304 AC - beheaded, in Rome.

Pope Damasus I claimed that he heard the story of these two martyrs from their Sts. Marcellinus and Peter

Damasus states that they were killed at an out-of-the-way spot by the magistrate Severus or Serenus, so that other Christians would not have a chance to bury and venerate their bodies.