Saint of the Day – 11 August – St Chromatius the Prefect

Saint Agrestius Chromatius the Prefect, martyr and father of Saint Tiburtius. Saint Chromatius was vicar to the city prefect of Rome under Emperor Diocletian. He had an ornate palace in the Parione district. Before becoming Christian, he condemned several martyrs to death during the reign of Emperor Carinus. He was later converted to Christianity by Saint Tranquillinus and baptized by Saint Polycarp. The occasion by which he received such a great grace was Saint Tranquillinus’ testifying to being cured of gout during baptism. Chromatius likewise suffered terribly from gout, so he sent for Polycarp, who baptized him, and he was also healed.

After becoming Christian, he released the Christian prisoners and freed his slaves. He then retired and was succeeded by Fabianus. Chromatius lived quietly on his country estate for many years, welcoming other Christians into his home to protect them from persecution.

Saint Chromatius’ son, Saint Tiburtius, took shelter in his father’s house during the persecution of Diocletian, but was later by an apostate, tortured and beheaded. Chromatius is said to have also been martyred, probably at the same time. However, no details of his martyrdom remain. According to Butler’s Lives of the Saints, Chromatius was mentioned in several ancient martyrologies alongside his son Tiburtius.