Saint Genesius of Arles
Saint Genesius of Arles (died c. 303 AD in Arles, Gaul, modern France) was a Christian notary (court secretary) in the Roman city of Arles who refused to transcribe an imperial edict persecuting Christians, threw down his writing materials, fled the court, and was beheaded after refusing to sacrifice to the pagan gods. He is one of the earliest martyrs of Gaul and the patron of the city of Arles. He should not be confused with Saint Genesius of Rome, the actor-martyr. His feast day is August 25.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Genesius of Arles
| Saint Genesius of Arles | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | August 25 |
| Profession | Roman notary (court secretary); martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; martyr of the Diocletianic Persecution |
| Patronage | Arles; Provence; notaries; secretaries; court scribes; those who refuse unjust orders |
| Attributes | Book or scroll (notary); palm (martyr); his severed head; Rhône River |
| Birthplace | Arles, Gaul (modern France) |
| Death Place | Arles, Gaul (modern France) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; beheaded at Arles c. 303 AD during the Diocletianic Persecution for refusing to transcribe an imperial anti-Christian edict and for refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Saint-Genès (Saint Genesius), Arles, France — dedicated to him; the historic church in the city of his martyrdom; his cultus centered here from ancient times |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast August 25; observed in Arles and the Diocese of Arles |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; locally observed |
Biography
Genesius of Arles was a notary — a public secretary who recorded and copied official documents for the Roman civil administration — in the prosperous Roman city of Arles (Arelate) in southern Gaul. Arles was an important Roman city on the Rhône River, later to become a major center of early Gallic Christianity.
During the Great Persecution of the Emperor Diocletian (beginning 303 AD), imperial edicts were issued requiring Christian clergy and the churches to hand over scriptures, and eventually requiring all citizens to sacrifice to the Roman gods. When the order reached Arles and Genesius was tasked with transcribing an anti-Christian imperial edict, he refused. According to his Passio (the account of his martyrdom), he threw down his writing tablets, publicly declared his Christian faith, and fled.
He was captured, brought before the local prefect or magistrate, and ordered to sacrifice to the pagan gods. He refused. He was beheaded — traditionally on August 25, 303 AD — near the Rhône River. Medieval accounts add the picturesque detail that his severed head rolled into the river but continued to speak, a hagiographic motif found in several early Gallic martyr accounts.
His veneration is among the oldest in Gaul. Gregory of Tours mentions him, and his cult spread widely in southern France and Spain (where he is sometimes confused with the Roman actor-martyr Genesius).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Arles, Gaul (modern France)
Death location: Arles, Gaul (modern France)
Notable location: The city of his birth, work, and martyrdom; he was a notary in the Roman administrative court here; he is the patron of Arles; the Cathedral of Saint-Trophime and the Church of Saint-Geniès (Église Saint-Genès) mark his memory in the city (Arles, Provence, France)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Church of Saint-Genès (Saint Genesius), Arles, Provence — the primary site of his veneration in his native city.
Feast day
August 25
Veneration
Saint Genesius of Arles is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with his feast day on August 25, observed particularly in Arles and Provence.
Prayers
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