Saint Marcellus the Centurion

Marcellus was a centurion of the Roman legion Trajana, serving in North Africa. In the summer of 298, during the celebrations of the birthday of the Emperor Maximian, when soldiers were expected to offer sacrifice to the gods, he stood before the standards, threw down his military belt and his vine staff, and declared that he served Jesus Christ, the eternal King, and could no longer serve under emperors who demanded idol worship.

He was arrested and sent to Tingis, today Tangier in Morocco, where he was tried by Aurelius Agricolanus, deputy of the praetorian prefects. The record of his trial, considered one of the more reliable acts of the martyrs, shows him calm and firm. He was condemned and beheaded on October 30, 298. According to tradition, the court secretary, Cassian, refused to write down the sentence and was martyred soon after.

Marcellus's relics were taken to León, in Spain, where he is honored as a patron of the city, and the Church of San Marcelo stands in its center. A later Spanish tradition even made him a native of León, the father of twelve martyr sons.

He is remembered as a model for Christians in military service who must follow their conscience.