Germanicus of Smyrna
Appearance
Saint Germanicus | |
---|---|
Martyr | |
Died | 155 Smyrna |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
Canonized | Pre-congregation |
Feast | 19 January |
Saint Germanicus was a youth who was arrested and martyred for his faith in Smyrna during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus. As Germanicus stood in the arena, facing a wild beast, the Roman proconsul pleaded with him that in view of his youth he should deny his faith to obtain a pardon. But the young man refused to apostatize, and willingly embraced martyrdom.[1]
Germanicus was praised for his courage facing the wild beasts used to kill him,[2] and was referenced in the Martyrdom of Polycarp.
References
- ^ St. Germanicus Catholic Online
- ^ Page 653 A Dictionary of Christian Biography, Literature, Sects and Doctrines
he was 17 at the time of death and was killed by being thrown to the lions for the Romans entertainment. He was the disciple of Polycarp bishop of Smyrna. Germanicus was martyred a few months before his respected Polycarp.