Sts. Nereus and Achilleus

Sts. Nereus and Achilleus were Roman martyrs of the early Church whose memory has been honored at Rome since ancient times. According to a tradition recorded by Pope St. Damasus in an inscription over their tomb, the two were soldiers, enrolled in the imperial service, who, upon embracing the Christian faith, cast away their weapons and their fear, refused to carry out the cruel orders of their commander, and chose rather to suffer death than to deny Christ.

Put to death for their faith, they were buried in the cemetery of Domitilla on the Via Ardeatina outside Rome, where a basilica was later raised in their honor and their relics venerated by generations of pilgrims. Their names are recorded among the martyrs commemorated in the ancient liturgy of the Roman Church, a witness to the courage of those early Christians who would not compromise their faith even in the ranks of the army. They are celebrated together on 12 May.