Marinus, Legionary

Marinus, Legionary
[March 17 - 3rd Century]

Almighty God, whose servant Legionary Mariunus didst refuse to offer sacrifices to idols, strenghten us to follow his example by refusing the idols of our age, and by following thee with true faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.

By tradition, Marinus was a Legionary and son to a noble family of Caeserea who refused to sacrifice to idols and desecrated the offerings of others by stepping on them. He was denounced by a rival, arrested, tortured and beheaded in Rome.

Asterius, a Roman senator witnessed Marinus' martyrdom, and was so moved with respect for the courage of Marinus in his tortures, that he carried the body away for burial. It is said that he was killed for this act.