Martyr4th century

Martyr Acacius the Centurion at Byzantium

3rd century – c. 303

Also known as Akakios the Centurion

A centurion of Cappadocia who confessed Christ during the persecution under Maximian, endured many torments, and was beheaded at Byzantium.

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Acacius the Centurion, who suffered at Byzantium

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Life

Acacius was a centurion of the Roman army, born in Cappadocia in Asia Minor in the late third century, who confessed Christ during the persecution of his era and was put to death at Byzantium. According to the synaxarion he served in the Martesian regiment under the officer Firmus.

When his commander interrogated the soldiers under his charge about their faith, Acacius openly declared himself a Christian. He was subjected to repeated torture, imprisoned, and finally beheaded by the sword at Byzantium in the year 303. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on May 7.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide

KontakionTone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Acacius;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 3

Your holy martyr Acacius, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide

Late 3rd centuryBirth in CappadociaAcacius was born in Cappadocia, in Asia Minor, and entered the Roman army, rising to the rank of centurion. The synaxarion places him in the Martesian regiment under the officer Firmus.
Early 4th centuryConfession of faithWhen persecution of Christians began and Firmus interrogated the soldiers under his command, Acacius firmly and openly confessed himself a Christian. He was handed over to torture and bound in chains.
Early 4th centuryImprisonment and transfer to ByzantiumAfter enduring tortures in Perinthus (Pyrrinthus) in Thrace, he was passed to a superior officer, Vivianus, and taken toward Byzantium for further torments before the prefect Flaccinus.
c. 303Martyrdom by beheadingOrders were given to behead the martyr without further delay, and he was put to death by the sword at Byzantium in the year 303.

Contributions & Legacy

3 contributionsReadHide

Soldier and Confessor

The accounts describe Acacius as a Cappadocian centurion serving in the imperial army at the turn of the fourth century. The Orthodox synaxarion names his unit the Martesian regiment and his commanding officer Firmus, who interrogated the soldiers under his authority once persecution of Christians was decreed.

Sources connect the persecution to the reign of the emperor Maximian; the Orthodox Church in America's account specifies Maximian Galerius (305–311). Refusing to conceal his faith, Acacius confessed Christ openly before his commander and was thereupon delivered to torture, after which he was bound in heavy chains and imprisoned.

Imprisonment, Tortures, and Martyrdom

According to the synaxarion, Acacius suffered many tortures in Perinthus (also given as Pyrrinthus) in Thrace before being transferred to a superior officer named Vivianus and brought toward Byzantium. There he was scourged and endured further torments, and was ultimately sent before the prefect Flaccinus.

The traditional account relates that while Acacius prayed he heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Courage, Acacius, and be strong!' — a voice said to have been heard by his fellow prisoners as well, leading many of them to believe in Christ. The synaxarion further relates that at night the other prisoners saw radiant youths appear to the saint to wash his wounds and bring him food. By order of the authorities he was beheaded with the sword at Byzantium in the year 303.

Relics and Veneration

His relics were later transferred from Constantinople to Calabria in southern Italy. By tradition the relics were placed at a spring near Squillace, close to the Vivarium, the monastery founded in the preceding century by Cassiodorus; an arm relic was later moved to Guardavalle in 1584 by Bishop Marcello Sirleto, and other relics are recorded as having reached Cuenca and Ávila in Spain.

Acacius is venerated as a patron of soldiers. In the Western tradition he is counted among the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on May 7; a translation of relics is also recorded on January 16, and his martyrdom has traditionally been dated to early May.

Related Saints1 saintShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

A distinct martyr of the same name, of Apamea.

Martyr Acaciusof Apamea

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints