Sts. Protus and Hyacinth are early Christian martyrs whose story is primarily known through the traditions of the Roman Church. Their feast day is celebrated on September 11, and they are particularly venerated in connection with the catacombs of St. Hermes in Rome, where their relics were discovered in the 19th century.
Historical Background:
According to early Christian tradition, Protus and Hyacinth were brothers and served as eunuchs in the household of St. Eugenia, a noble Roman woman who converted to Christianity. They, too, became Christians under her influence. St. Eugenia, along with her servants Protus and Hyacinth, lived during the reign of the Roman emperor Valerian (253–260 AD), a period marked by severe persecution against Christians. Protus and Hyacinth were steadfast in their faith, and when their Christianity was discovered, they were arrested and tortured.
Martyrdom:
The brothers were offered the opportunity to renounce their faith in exchange for their lives, but they courageously refused. As a result, they were condemned to death. According to some accounts, they were beheaded in the same persecution that claimed St. Eugenia’s life.
Protus and Hyacinth were buried in the catacomb of St. Hermes along the Via Salaria Nova. Their relics were later transferred to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and then to other churches over the centuries.
Veneration:
The relics of Sts. Protus and Hyacinth have been venerated for centuries in Rome, and their memory is honored in the Roman Martyrology on September 11. While little is known beyond the traditional accounts of their lives, their martyrdom has made them shining examples of faithfulness to Christ in the face of persecution. The discovery of their relics by archaeologists in the 19th century gave new life to their story, and they continue to be commemorated by Catholics, especially within the Traditional Roman Calendar.
Their martyrdom, as eunuchs and servants, highlights the universal call to holiness, showing that faith and the willingness to suffer for Christ is what defines sainthood, not status or position.
Their example serves as an inspiration for the faithful to hold firm to their beliefs despite opposition, embodying the virtue of fortitude.