Saint of the Day – 29 January – Saint Constantius of Perugia (Died c 170) Martyr

Saint of the Day – 29 January – Saint Constantius of Perugia (Died c 170) Martyr, the First Bishop of Perugia. Died by being beheaded in c 170. Patronages – Perugia-Città della Pieve, Italy, Archdiocese of and the City of Perugia, Italy. Also known as – Costanzo of Perugia, Costantius, Constance.

The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In Perugia, St. Costanzo, Bishop and Martyr, who, together with his Companions, under the Emperor Marcus Aurélio, received the Crown of Martyrdom for the defense of the faith.”

Constantius lived in the second century. He was a young Christian who immediately distinguished himself in the Perugian Church, for his zeal and generosity towards the poor combined with great severity towards himself.

He was, therefore, elected Bishop at the very young age, of just thirty years old. However, he was already prudent, wise in the apostolate, mature in charity, steadfast in authority and he proved to be a providential Bishop, especially in the difficult years of Marcus Aurelius’ persecution.

In fact, it was not long before the Emperor arrested and tried him with the accusation of having embraced Faith in the Lord and if he was found guilty, that is, if he confirmed his faith by refusing to sacrifice, he would be sentenced to capital punishment.

It is not known who denounced the active and beneficial Bishop of Perugia. Probably, as in many other cases, someone hoped to get their hands on the riches of the Church, destined for the poor. Perhaps, for this very reason, that is, to extract advantageous information from him, Bishop Costantius was tortured for a long time and cruelly, together with several other fellow believers.

He was locked up in the calidarium of the Roman Baths, where respectable and refined citizens took a steam bath. This time, however, the calidarium was heated to the temperature of an oven but Costantius came out unscathed from the mortal bath.

He had the grace to convert his guardians and was able to escape for the first time. Armed again, he was sentenced to walk on hot coals. But neither this nor other tortures had power over him. Miraculously freed and arrested a third time, he was beheaded with the sword, around the year 170.