Marinus of Caesarea explained

Saint Marinus of Caesarea
Titles:Martyr
Birth Date:3rd century
Death Date:262
Death Place:Caesarea, Palaestina
Venerated In:Eastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Canonized Date:Pre-congregation
Feast Day:Mar 17, Aug 7, Dec 16 (Orthodoxy)
March 3 (Catholicism)

Marinus of Caesarea (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Μαρῖνος)[1] was a Roman soldier and a Christian martyr.

Life

Marinus was a Roman soldier stationed in Caesarea in Palestine. He was from a rich and noble family in this city, and being capable and conscientious, he had made a successful career in the Roman army.[2] A soldier in a Roman legion, Marinus was promoted to the position of centurion.[3] Before he was able to assume the post, a rival claimed that before a centurion could accept the post, he was to offer a sacrifice to the emperor, according to ancient law. Marinus, who until that point was a secret Christian, professed his true faith, and explained that it prevented him from offering this sacrifice. Marinus was then given three hours to change his decision.[4]

He went to a local church to speak with the bishop, who went by the name of Theotecnus. Bishop Theotecnus led Marinus to the altar. He pointed to Marinus' sword and a Gospel book, and then asked which Marinus preferred. Without hesitation, Marinus chose the Gospel book with his right hand. The bishop told him: “Hold fast to God. By the strength he has given you, you can achieve the fruit of yours. Now go in peace”.[2]

Marinus returned to the legion and refused to make the ritual sacrifice. He was then beheaded.[5]

After his death

The remains of Marinus were buried by a Roman senator, St Asterius of Caesarea, who was himself martyred. However, the evidence for this is not very reliable.[2] Both saints have their feast day commemorated on March 3 in Catholicism.[6]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0640%3Abook%3D7%3Achapter%3D15%3Asection%3D1 Eusebius of Caesarea, Historia ecclesiastica, 7.15.1
  2. https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/astyrius Odden, Per Einar. "De hellige Marinus og Asterius av Caesarea (-~262)", Den katolske kirke, August 6, 2006
  3. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.xii.xvi.html Eusebius Pamphilius, "The Martyrdom of Marinus at Caesaria", Church History, Chap. XV, CCEL
  4. https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100134538 "Marinus of Caesarea", The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, 5 ed. (David Farmer, ed,) OUP, 2011
  5. http://oca.org/saints/lives/2013/08/07/102223-martyr-marinus-the-soldier-at-caesarea-in-palestine "Martyr Marinus the Soldier at Caesarea in Palestine", Orthodox Church in America
  6. Book: Baronio S., Cesare . 1631 . Martyrologium Romanum . 146 . latin.