Saint Acestes
Saint Acestes (also known as Acestes the Soldier or Digestus, Acestes, and Anterus; died c. 33 AD or later) appears in certain hagiographic and apocryphal traditions as one of the Roman soldiers assigned to guard the body of Jesus Christ at the Holy Sepulchre who converted to Christianity after witnessing the miraculous events of the Resurrection. His name appears in several early Western martyrological texts, associated with the tradition of soldiers converted at the moment of the Resurrection. The historical and apocryphal nature of this account is noted by hagiographers.
The historical documentation for Saint Acestes is extremely limited and belongs primarily to apocryphal tradition rather than to verifiable ecclesiastical history. He is listed in some early Western martyrological compilations. The scholarly consensus recognizes the great difficulty in distinguishing historical individuals in these legendary accounts of the guards at the Tomb.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Acestes
| Saint Acestes | |
|---|---|
| Profession | Roman soldier (according to tradition) |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Christianity |
| Attributes | Roman soldier's armor; martyr's palm |
| Birthplace | Roman Empire (precise location unknown) |
| Death Place | Roman Empire (precise location unknown) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (according to tradition) |
| Liturgical Class | Not included |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Birth
The birth date and birthplace of Saint Acestes cannot be confirmed from available historical sources. He is described in hagiographic tradition as a Roman soldier serving in the garrison of Jerusalem.
Early Life
No reliable details of the early life of Saint Acestes are preserved in verifiable historical sources. The tradition associating him with the guard at the Holy Sepulchre appears in Western apocryphal and martyrological writings.
Occupation
According to tradition, Saint Acestes was a Roman soldier assigned to guard the tomb of Jesus Christ following the Crucifixion. The Gospel accounts mention that the Jewish authorities requested a guard be posted at the tomb, and Roman soldiers were assigned (Matthew 27:62–66).
Vocation
The tradition holds that Acestes, upon witnessing the miraculous events of the Resurrection — the earthquake and the appearance of the angel — was converted to faith in Jesus Christ. He is thus numbered among those early witnesses to the Resurrection who subsequently suffered for their faith.
Death
The date and manner of martyrdom of Saint Acestes are not confirmed in available historical sources. According to tradition he suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith after his conversion.
Saint Acestes met his end by martyrdom according to tradition, having converted to Christianity upon witnessing the events of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Significant events
- Listed in Western martyrological tradition as a Roman soldier converted upon witnessing events associated with the Resurrection.
- Commemorated among the early Christian martyrs.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
Notable location: Traditional site of his conversion at the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem (Aelia Capitolina), Israel)
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Acestes have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
No shrines formally dedicated to Saint Acestes have been identified in available sources.
Canonization
Servant of God
Saint Acestes's recognition rests on ancient Western Christian martyrological tradition.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
Not applicable.
Canonization
Saint Acestes is recognized through ancient Western Christian martyrological tradition.
Miracles
No specific miracles attributed to Saint Acestes have been formally documented.
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Other notable miracles
No specific miracles are recorded.
Patronage
No formal patronage has been assigned to Saint Acestes.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint Acestes has not been universally established in the current Roman calendar.
Veneration
Saint Acestes is commemorated in ancient Western Christian martyrological tradition among the earliest converts to the Christian faith.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
Books
Written about the saint
- Martyrologium Hieronymianum (Hieronymian Martyrology). Ancient primary martyrological source.
Written by the saint
- No writings by Saint Acestes have been identified.
External links
References
- Martyrologium Hieronymianum. Edited in Acta Sanctorum Novembris, vol. II. Brussels, 1894.
- Early Western hagiographic tradition.