Saint Chrysogonus
Saint Chrysogonus (died c. 304 AD in Aquileia, Friuli, Italy) was an early Christian martyr beheaded at Aquileia during the Diocletianic persecution. He is mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I), making him one of the very few martyrs explicitly commemorated in the oldest part of the Mass. He was the spiritual director of Saint Anastasia of Sirmium during her imprisonment. His feast day is November 24.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Chrysogonus
| Saint Chrysogonus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 24 |
| Profession | Early Christian; spiritual director; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church; Early Church |
| Patronage | Aquileia; Trastevere (Rome); weavers (traditional in some regions) |
| Attributes | Palm of martyrdom; sword; chains (imprisoned before martyrdom) |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy (probable) |
| Death Place | Aquileia, Udine Province, Friuli, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; beheaded during the Diocletianic persecution |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of San Crisogono, Trastevere, Rome — one of Rome's ancient titular churches; his crypt-church beneath the present church dates to the 4th century |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial |
| Historic Class | November 24 |
Biography
The historical details of Chrysogonus are sparse, but his veneration is ancient and uniquely confirmed by his mention in the Roman Canon of the Mass — the Eucharistic Prayer I that has been in continuous use in the Latin Rite since the earliest centuries. The Canon names him alongside Saints Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, and others — an elite group of martyrs deemed worthy of specific mention during the consecration.
The Acts of Saint Anastasia (of uncertain date but ancient) describe Chrysogonus as a nobleman who was imprisoned in Rome during the Diocletianic persecution (303–305 AD) and corresponded with Saint Anastasia of Sirmium, who was suffering persecution in her marriage to a pagan husband. His letters to her, preserved in the Acts, offer consolation and instruction in Christian life. He was eventually sent under escort to Aquileia, tried before the prefect, and beheaded on November 24. His body was recovered from the sea into which it had been thrown and was buried near Aquileia.
A church on the Tiber island of Trastevere in Rome bore his name by at least the 5th century (a letter of Pope Symmachus mentions it). The present Basilica of San Crisogono in Trastevere preserves a 4th-century subterranean church beneath the nave — one of the most complete early Christian underground church complexes in Rome.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy (probable)
Death location: Aquileia, Udine Province, Friuli, Italy
Notable location: A titular church in Rome dedicated to him since antiquity; one of the oldest churches in Rome; his relics were brought here from Aquileia (Basilica of San Crisogono, Trastevere, Rome, Italy)
Notable location: The city where he was beheaded; an early Christian metropolitan see; site of his martyrdom (Aquileia, Udine Province, Friuli, Italy)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Basilica of San Crisogono, Trastevere, Rome — ancient titular church; the 4th-century underground church beneath is one of Rome's most remarkable early Christian monuments.
Feast day
November 24
Veneration
Saint Chrysogonus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on November 24 (Optional Memorial). He is unique in being explicitly named in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I) of the Mass.
Prayers
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