During the cruel persecution of Christians committed by the emperor Diocletian, the good Christian Markellin was bishop in Rome. He was old and in poor health. In another raid against Christians, Markellin was seized and ordered to worship idols. Markellin’s body was weak, and his will weakened. He took part in the sacrifice. It was a joyous day for the emperor: the chief priest of Rome betrayed his God. For Markellina, the day was black. He could not bear the shame of renunciation. At the council of bishops, Markellin asked for cruel punishment. But the bishops could not show severity to the old, sick man. Then Markellin imposed his own punishment. He said he was losing his rank from now on. After his death, he forbade himself to be buried, ordering him to throw the body to the dogs. After that, he publicly addressed the emperor with a speech in which he recognized himself as a Christian and repented of apostasy. As soon as the spirit of the saint grew stronger, so did the body. He was no longer a sick, exhausted old man, but a fiery follower of Christ who was not afraid of death.
Diocletian was enraged by the bishop’s actions and ordered him to be killed. His body was left unburied as he wished. But St. Peter appeared in a dream to Markella, who took the place of the bishop of Rome and ordered to give the body to the rite of burial.
Remembrance days
June 20
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Lives of Saints
