The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Romanus of Caesarea
d. AD 303–304 (martyr at Antioch) · Deacon and exorcist · Martyr · Caesarea Maritima → Antioch
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Romanus of Caesarea was
Deacon and exorcist of Caesarea who, present at Antioch when the churches fell, cried out against the apostatizing crowds at the very altars — and, condemned to the flames and then reprieved by Diocletian's presence, had his tongue cut out instead. Eusebius records that he spoke on regardless, and was strangled in prison: the persecution's most famous proof that martyrs do not need tongues.
Also listed in martyrs and the great persecution.
Common questions
When did Romanus die?
Romanus of Caesarea is dated d. AD 303–304 (martyr at Antioch) in the archive, which places Romanus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Romanus?
Romanus of Caesarea is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea, John Chrysostom and Prudentius. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Romanus from?
The archive associates Romanus of Caesarea with Caesarea Maritima, Antioch. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Romanus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Romanus of Caesarea to 3 other figures, including Eusebius of Caesarea, Emperor Diocletian and Emperor Galerius. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Martyrs of Palestine 2 (with the Ecclesiastical History)
c. AD 325His tongue was cut off; but he showed by deeds that the power of God is present with those who endure any hardship for religion's sake — speaking with a clear voice till his last breath.Eusebius of Caesarea · MP 2 · source text
John Chrysostom, Homilies on St Romanus (the tongue cut out, the voice remaining)
c. AD 390[Chrysostom’s point is that the tongue was cut out and the confession went on — the voice was not in the organ.]John Chrysostom · Homily on Saint Romanus
One of John Chrysostom's occasional homilies for the feasts of the martyrs, preached at Antioch or Constantinople between c. AD 386 and 400. These are not in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers. Greek: Migne, Patrologia Graeca 50. English translations by Wendy Mayer and Bronwen Neil, St John Chrysostom: The Cult of the Saints (St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2006); no public-domain English exists.
Crowns of Martyrdom 10 (the thousand-line Romanus)
c. AD 405Connected 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
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Romanus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.