Episode 2503a: St Nicomedes

St. Nicomedes is an early Christian martyr, venerated by the Catholic Church, particularly for his steadfast faith in the face of persecution. He is thought to have lived in Rome during the 1st century, around the time of the Roman Empire's early persecution of Christians. Not much is definitively known about his life, but he is traditionally remembered as a priest who demonstrated great courage and dedication to his faith.

Life and Martyrdom
According to tradition, St. Nicomedes was a priest in Rome. He was known for his piety and commitment to ministering to the early Christian community, offering prayers and sacraments to the faithful. During this time, Christianity was not yet legalized, and Christians often faced persecution under Roman law, which demanded loyalty to the Roman gods and emperor.

St. Nicomedes’ acts of charity, particularly in burying the bodies of fellow Christians who had been executed for their faith, brought him to the attention of Roman authorities. It was illegal to bury Christian martyrs, and Nicomedes’ defiance of this law was seen as a challenge to Roman authority.

When Nicomedes was apprehended for burying a Christian martyr, he was ordered to renounce his faith and worship the Roman gods. He refused to deny Christ, steadfastly upholding his faith even under threat of punishment. His refusal to sacrifice to the pagan gods led to his martyrdom. Tradition holds that he was beaten to death with leaded whips, a cruel and painful execution.

Legacy and Veneration
St. Nicomedes' body was reportedly buried along the Via Nomentana, an important road leading out of Rome. His grave became a site of pilgrimage, and he was soon honored as a martyr of the faith. In later centuries, a church was built on the site of his burial, which became known as the Church of St. Nicomedes. His feast day is celebrated on September 15th in the Roman Martyrology.