ST PATROCLUS, MARTYR OF TROYES

ST PATROCLUS, MARTYR OF TROYES - 21 JANUARY

SAINT PATROCLUS, MARTYR OF TROYES

Saint Patroclus suffered at Troyes (Trecae, Tricasium, Augusta Trecarum) in France. According to Bollandus, his death took place in A.D. 259, rather than in 273 or 275.

HE SUFFERED IN A D. 259

According to legend, this saint was a noble, learned, pious and generous man who performed many miracles through his prayer and faith. He was imprisoned by the governor Aurelius because of his Christian beliefs and sentenced to death.

HE BEGAN TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE EXECUTIONERS

When the executioners led him outside the city, he managed to escape, crossed the river Seine on dry feet and climbed up the neighbouring mountain. The captors pursued him and finally caught him. Patroclus, having been arrested again, began to preach Christ to them and converted some of their number.

THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN

But Elegius, the commander, ordered for Patroclus to be tied up, both his hands and feet, and to be beheaded in the public square on January 21, a Friday. The captors went away and left the lifeless body lying there. Two old men, who had often received alms from the saint, carried away the saint's body and kept it until evening, when the archpriest Eusebius and the deacon Liberius came, who wrapped it up and buried it.

A LITTLE CHAPEL

After the persecutions against the Church had ceased, the same Eusebius built a little chapel over the tomb. St Patroclus' holy relics were transferred to Soest (Susatium) in Westphalen [Germany] in 964, where a church was built in his honour and a collegiate foundation founded. The day of the translation of his relics is celebrated either on November 19 or December 9.

THE INTERROGATION THAT PRECEDED ST PATROCLUS' SUFFERING

The interrogation that preceded his suffering is remarkable and very edifying, perhaps the core of the whole martyrdom story.

The governor spoke to him: "I have heard from you that in your ignorance you do all kinds of inappropriate things and in foolish piety you honour and worship as God one who has been killed by men."

The holy man kept silent.

Aurelianus then asked: "What is your name?"

He answered: "My name is Patroclus."

Aurelianus said: "What is your religion and which god do you worship?"

Patroclus replied: "I worship the living and true God, which one dwells in heaven, and directs earthly things, and knows all things before they come to pass."

Aurelianus said: "Leave this folly, and worship our gods, and serve them; they can bring you honour and riches and fame."

Patroclus replied: "I know of no other God than the one and only Guardian of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, the seen and the unseen, created."

Aurelianus said: "Prove the truth of what you say."

Patroclus replied: "What I say is undoubtedly true, but I know that lies are inimical to the truth."

Aurelianus threatened: "I will make you burn until you sacrifice unto the gods."

Patroclus replied, "I sacrifice unto God the sacrifice of praise, and myself I sacrifice unto Him, a living sacrifice, since he has deigned to call me as a testimony to his name."

This sacrifice he really did accomplish with the astonishing heroic courage with which Jesus blesses his fighters.

THE TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS

The transfer of his relics to Soest was initiated in A.D. 959. The holy Archbishop Bruno of Cologne had successfully negotiated peace between some citizens of Troyes and Bishop Aesgisus and had asked the latter for the relics as a token of his gratitude.

PATRON SAINT OF SOEST

St Patroclus is the patron saint of Soest (pronounced Sohst) and the patron saint of the provost church there. In recent times the relics of the saint have had to endure criticism of the most hair-raising kind. See, for example: "A protestant (!) word about the worship of relics together with an investigation into the alleged bones of St Patroclus, Soest 1855, by Andreä," and the counter-writings by Giesers. The shrine of Patroclus, dating from 1311-1313, a work of art by the goldsmith Ringefried, is widely known.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - 📷 The shrine of Patroclus, 14th century)

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