Saint Adaucus
Saint Adaucus (also known as Adauctus the Treasury Official; died c. 303–305 AD) was a Roman official of Italian origin who served as a treasury official (comes sacrarum largitionum or similar financial administrator) in the imperial court under Emperor Diocletian in the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, most likely in Phrygia (present-day central Turkey). He was martyred for the Christian faith, along with a large group of Christians from the city of Eumeneia (or its environs) who were locked in a building and burned alive.
Saint Adaucus is distinct from Saint Adauctus, the companion of Saint Felix who was martyred in Rome at approximately the same time (both names are variant spellings of the Latin adauctus, meaning "enlarged" or "added to"). The two saints appear in different accounts and at different locations.
The account of Adaucus's martyrdom is preserved by Eusebius of Caesarea in his Historia Ecclesiastica and in his De Martyribus Palaestinae. Eusebius describes him as a man of distinguished rank who was martyred for the faith together with a large number of Phrygian Christians.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Adaucus
| Saint Adaucus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 07 |
| Profession | Imperial treasury official (Roman administrator) |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Christianity; Catholic Church |
| Attributes | Martyr's palm; flames (burned alive) |
| Birthplace | Italy (precise location unknown) |
| Death Place | Phrygia, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom — burned alive with a group of Phrygian Christians during the Diocletianic persecution |
| Liturgical Class | Not included |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Birth
The birth date and birthplace of Saint Adaucus cannot be confirmed from available historical sources. Eusebius describes him as a man of Italian origin who held an important position in the imperial financial administration.
Early Life
No details of the early life of Saint Adaucus are preserved in available historical sources.
Occupation
Saint Adaucus served as an imperial treasury official under Emperor Diocletian — one of the high-ranking financial administrators of the Roman Empire. His position brought him to the eastern provinces, where he was stationed in Phrygia.
Vocation
Despite his distinguished position in the imperial administration, Saint Adaucus was a Christian and refused to apostatize when the Diocletianic persecution began. His martyrdom together with a large group of Phrygian Christians — who were reportedly burned alive when the authorities locked them in a building and set it on fire — is one of the more dramatic episodes of the Diocletianic persecution recorded by Eusebius.
Death
Saint Adaucus was martyred around 303–305 AD in Phrygia, dying in the flames with a large group of fellow Christians.
Saint Adaucus met his end by fire in Phrygia, martyred for refusing to renounce the Christian faith during the Diocletianic persecution.
Significant events
- Served as an imperial treasury official under Emperor Diocletian in Phrygia.
- Martyred with a large group of Phrygian Christians, burned alive, c. 303–305 AD.
- His martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius of Caesarea in his Historia Ecclesiastica.
- Feast day observed on February 7.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Phrygia, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey)
Notable location: Region of his martyrdom (Phrygia, Turkey (ancient region))
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Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Adaucus 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 Adaucus have been identified in available sources.
Canonization
Servant of God
Recognized by ancient tradition, attested by Eusebius of Caesarea.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
Not applicable.
Canonization
Recognized by ancient tradition and included in the Roman Martyrology.
Miracles
No specific miracles attributed to Saint Adaucus 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 Adaucus.
Feast day
February 7
Veneration
Saint Adaucus is venerated in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions as a martyr of the Diocletianic persecution. His feast is observed on February 7.
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
- Eusebius of Caesarea. Historia Ecclesiastica (Ecclesiastical History), Book VIII. Primary source.
- Acta Sanctorum, February vol. II (February 7). Hagiographic collection.
Written by the saint
- No writings by Saint Adaucus have been identified.
External links
References
- Eusebius of Caesarea. Historia Ecclesiastica, Book VIII. Translated by H. J. Lawlor and J. E. L. Oulton. London: SPCK, 1927.
- Roman Martyrology (Martyrologium Romanum). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2004.