May 12 Saints Nereus and Achilleus (Achille, Achilles, Acilius, Aquileus) of Terracina.
May 12 Saints Nereus and Achilleus (Achille, Achilles, Acilius, Aquileus) of Terracina.
died 98
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Saints Nereus and Achilleus were Roman soldiers who served under Emperor Trajan. When Diocletian ascended to the thrown, persecution of Christians began in earnest, which Nereus and Achilleus readily participated in. However, through this participation, they came to meet holy men and women who moved their hearts, leading to their eventual conversion to Christianity. While holy legend suggests that they were baptized in the faith by Saint Peter himself, the timing of their lives suggests this not to be true (although no less remarkable!).
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Upon their conversion and baptism, the soldiers threw down their weapons and armor, free from the tyranny of sin, and rejoicing in their newfound freedom. Of course, having been involved in the persecution of Christians, both Nereus and Achilleus knew what was in store for them, and were not disappointed. They were arrested, tortured, and exiled to the island of Terracina. There, they were beheaded for failure to renounce their faith and sacrifice to the Roman gods, true followers of Jesus Christ.
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Pope Damasus wrote an epitaph for Nereus and Achilleus in the fourth century. He wrote: “The martyrs Nereus and Achilleus had enrolled themselves in the army and exercised the cruel office of carrying out the orders of the tyrant, being ever ready, through the constraint of fear, to obey his will. O miracle of faith! Suddenly they cease from their fury, they become converted, they fly from the camp of their wicked leader; they throw away their shields, their armor and their blood-stained javelins. Confessing the faith of Christ, they rejoice to bear testimony to its triumph. Learn now from the words of Damasus what great things the glory of Christ can accomplish.”
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Pope Gregory the Great dwelt on the vanity of the earth's goods. In his homilies, he encouraged his congregation to despise the earth’s physical treasures by the example of Saints Nereus and Achilleus, whose relics lay under the very altar around which they were that day assembled. "These Saints," he said, "before whose tomb we are now standing, trampled with contempt of soul on the world and its flowers. Life was then long, health was uninterrupted, riches were abundant, parents were blessed with many children; and yet, though the world was so flourishing in itself, it had long been a withered thing in their hearts."
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Saints Achilleus and Nereus, pray for those in the military and armed forces throughout the world that they may always see God as their authority and obey God's orders first. Amen.
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor Saints Nereus and Achilleus, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon them. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to them by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, Saints Nereus and Achilleus might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.