Saint Symphorosa and seven holy children, martyrs on the Via Tiburtina in Rome

Saint Symphorosa and seven holy children, martyrs on the Via Tiburtina in Rome.

St. Symphorosa was a 2nd-century Roman matron and early Christian martyr who, alongside her seven sons, was persecuted and executed under Emperor Hadrian. Widely venerated as the patroness of Tivoli, Italy, her story is a celebrated symbol of maternal devotion and unwavering faith.

Early Life and Marriage.

St. Symphorosa lived during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (circa 138 AD). She was married to St. Getulius (also known as Zoticus), a military tribune who resigned his commission upon converting to Christianity. The couple lived on a plentiful, wealthy estate in Tivoli (near Rome) and utilized their resources to assist the poor and relieve persecuted Christians. Her husband Getulius, along with his brother Amantius, were eventually beheaded for refusing to abandon their Christian faith. Symphorosa personally retrieved their remains and buried them on their farm in Tivoli.

The Passion and Martyrdom.

Following the death of her husband, Symphorosa dedicated herself to raising her seven sons; Crescens, Julian, Nemesius, Primitivus, Justin, Stacteus, and Eugene—in the Christian faith.
According to traditional accounts (the Passio), demons occupying pagan idols revealed to Emperor Hadrian that Symphorosa and her sons were daily tormenting them by praying to the Christian God. Seeking to consecrate his new palace with pagan rituals, the Emperor demanded that the family sacrifice to the Roman gods. When Symphorosa firmly refused to renounce her faith, citing her husband’s heroic martyrdom, Hadrian escalated his actions.

Execution of Symphorosa: She was taken to the Temple of Hercules in Tivoli, severely beaten, hung by her hair, and finally drowned in the Anio River with a heavy rock fastened to her neck.

Execution of the Sons: The next day, the Emperor brought her seven sons before him. When they equally refused to sacrifice, all seven were subjected to brutal tortures and put to death in various ways.

Legacy and Veneration.

Symphorosa's brother, Eugenius, recovered her body and buried her alongside her husband. The seven sons were eventually buried in a pit along the Via Tiburtina, an area the local population came to refer to as "le sette fratte" (the seven brothers).

Relics: In 752, Pope Stephen III translated their remains to the Church of S. Angelo in Pescaria in Rome.

Feast Day: Her feast day is observed annually on July 18.

Historical Context: While early accounts of her martyrdom are heavily tied to oral tradition and resemble the story of St. Felicitas, archaeological excavations by Antonio Bosio in the 17th century confirmed the existence of a basilica built directly over the tombs of Symphorosa and her sons on the Via Tiburtina.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Pelayan Atasan Tertinggi / Most High Servant,
Yesus, Maria, Yusuf Pelayanan Kasih / Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)

My vocation is Blessed and Saints.

"I am the most humble of all the Saints in Heaven" Mary, Mother of God."

"I am the handmaid of the Lord, said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me."

Mother Mary is the most humble Saint in Heaven and she is also the Mother of God for us all
(Luke 1:38)