Episode 1503: St Crescentius

According to tradition, Saint Crescentius was born of a noble Roman family in the late 3rd century AD. During the persecutions of Christians by the Roman emperor Diocletian, Crescentius and his family fled to Perugia, Italy. However, his father, Saint Euthymius, died in Perugia, and Crescentius and his mother were brought back to Rome to stand trial.
Crescentius, who was only eleven years old at the time, was offered his life if he would renounce his faith in Christ. However, he refused, and was beheaded on the Via Salaria, outside of the city walls.
Saint Crescentius was buried in the cemetery of Priscilla on the Via Salaria. His place of burial became a focus of pilgrimage and veneration in the Middle Ages. His body was translated from Rome to Siena around 1058 at the request of Bishop Antifredus. Other relics were translated to Tortosa in 1606.
Saint Crescentius is depicted as a young boy with a martyr's palm and sword. He is sometimes shown stepping on a dragon, symbolizing his victory over evil.
Saint Crescentius is remembered as a courageous young martyr who stood up for his faith, even in the face of death. He is an inspiration to Christians of all ages.Show more

Roman Context: He lived in a time when Christianity was not yet officially recognized in the Roman Empire. Christians faced persecution and often had to practice their faith in secret.

Martyrdom: St. Crescentius is venerated as a martyr, meaning he died for his Christian faith. The circumstances of his martyrdom may not be widely documented, and there may be some variations in the accounts.

Legacy: Despite the limited historical documentation available about his life, St. Crescentius is revered by the Christian community as a symbol of faith and devotion. He is recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.
Iconography: In religious art, St. Crescentius is often depicted as a young man holding a palm frond, which is a symbol of martyrdom.