The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Marcellus of Tangier
d. AD 298 (martyr) · Centurion · Martyr · Tangier (Tingis)
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Marcellus of Tangier was
A centurion who, at a festival for the emperor's birthday, threw down his vine-staff and belt before the standards — 'I serve Jesus Christ the eternal king' — and was executed at Tingis. The Acta Marcelli, a sober court record, preserve the scene that made him a byword in the debate over Christians and the sword.
The Acta Marcelli alone.
Also listed in martyrs.
Common questions
When did Marcellus die?
Marcellus of Tangier is dated d. AD 298 (martyr) in the archive, which places Marcellus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Marcellus?
Marcellus of Tangier is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Acta Marcelli. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Marcellus from?
The archive associates Marcellus of Tangier with Tangier (Tingis).
Who were Marcellus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Marcellus of Tangier to 3 other figures, including Cassian of Tangier, Maximilian of Tebessa and Emeterius & Celedonius of Calahorra. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Acta Marcelli (court record, AD 298; original Latin, working translation)
c. AD 298[Near-contemporary court record.] 'I am a soldier of Jesus Christ, the eternal King. Henceforth I cease to serve your emperors, and I scorn to worship your gods of wood and stone, deaf and dumb idols.' — his words as he cast down the vine-staff and soldier's belt before the standards of the legion.Acta Marcelli · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 235 · Maximinus Thrax targets the clergy, AD 235
- AD 250 · The Decian persecution, AD 250
- AD 251 · The Novatianist schism, AD 251
- AD 257 · The Valerian persecution, AD 257
- AD 260 · Gallienus’ edict of toleration, AD 260
- AD 268 · Antioch deposes Paul of Samosata, AD 268
- AD 272 · Aurelian awards the Antioch church, AD 272
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Marcellus.