Saint Candidus
Saint Candidus (died c. September 22, 286 AD near Solothurn, Switzerland) was a soldier of the Theban Legion who was martyred along with Saint Maurice and his companions. The Theban Legion was an entire Roman military unit composed of Christian soldiers from the Thebaid (Upper Egypt) who refused to take part in the persecution of Christians and were consequently massacred. Candidus is venerated as one of the leaders among the Theban Legion martyrs. His feast day is September 22.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Candidus
| Saint Candidus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 22 |
| Profession | Roman soldier; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church; Theban Legion |
| Patronage | Soldiers; Switzerland (shared with the Theban Legion) |
| Attributes | Roman soldier's armor; palm of martyrdom |
| Birthplace | Thebaid (Upper Egypt) |
| Death Place | Agaunum (Saint-Maurice-en-Valais), Valais, Switzerland |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; beheaded with the Theban Legion |
| Primary Shrine | Abbey of Saint-Maurice, Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, Valais, Switzerland |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar) |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Saint Candidus was an officer of the Theban Legion, the Roman military unit composed entirely of Christian soldiers recruited from the Thebaid region of Upper Egypt. In 286 AD, the Emperor Maximian ordered the legion, quartered near Agaunum (modern Saint-Maurice-en-Valais) in the Alps, to take part in persecuting Christians in Gaul. The commander Saint Maurice, with Candidus as one of his principal officers, led the legion in refusing to obey. The soldiers were massacred in repeated decimations until all were killed.
Candidus is named in early sources as one of the principal martyrs alongside Maurice, Exuperius, and Victor. His feast is observed on September 22 with the other Theban martyrs.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Thebaid (Upper Egypt)
Death location: Agaunum (Saint-Maurice-en-Valais), Valais, Switzerland
Notable location: Site of the massacre of the Theban Legion; Abbey of Saint-Maurice stands there today (Saint-Maurice-en-Valais (ancient Agaunum), Valais, Switzerland)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Abbey of Saint-Maurice, Saint-Maurice-en-Valais, Switzerland — built over the site of the Theban Legion massacre; one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the Western world.
Feast day
September 22
Veneration
Saint Candidus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on September 22, shared with Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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