Saints Nereus and Achilleus

Nereus and Achilleus were Roman soldiers, possibly members of the imperial guard, who lived during one of the persecutions of the early Church. What we know most surely about them comes from an epitaph written by Pope Damasus in the fourth century for their tomb. It says that they had obeyed a tyrant's cruel orders, but when they were converted they suddenly threw away their shields and weapons, left the camp, and joyfully bore witness to Christ by their death.

They were buried in the catacomb on the Via Ardeatina that belonged to Flavia Domitilla, a Christian noblewoman, and in the late fourth century a basilica was built there over their tomb. A later legend made them servants of Domitilla, exiled with her to the island of Ponza. In the ninth century their relics were moved to the church of Santi Nereo e Achilleo near the Baths of Caracalla.

The Catacomb of Domitilla in Rome, one of the largest in the city, still preserves the remains of their underground basilica and a small column carved with Achilleus's martyrdom. Rome's church of Santi Nereo e Achilleo celebrates the feast with special solemnity.