Sergius and Bacchus
Roman martyrs and early Christian saints
Feast: 8 October (1962 Missal, commemoration) · not on the current Roman calendar
Who they were
Sergius and Bacchus were officers of frontier troops in Syria, well attested as martyrs of Diocletian's persecution around 303. Legend says they stood high in the emperor's esteem for their bravery until they declared themselves Christians. Bacchus died under the scourge; Sergius was made to run eighteen miles in shoes nailed through the soles, and was beheaded.
His tomb at Resafa became a great shrine, and the emperor Justinian built churches in his honour at Constantinople and Acre.
The miracles
There was never a formal cause: they have been honoured as martyrs since the fourth century, above all in the East.
Why that counted as sanctity
Two officers gave up the emperor's favour and their lives rather than deny Christ.
Connected on this site
- Bacchus Saint one of this group
- Sergius Saint one of this group
- Omelyan Kovch Blessed“Sergius and Bacchus College in Rome.” — Wikipedia
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Sts. Sergius and Bacchus
- Wikidata Q140013 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Sergius and Bacchus (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.