Homily: May 12 2016 - Sts. Nereus and Achilleus - Great courage of glorious martyrs

We know almost nothing about the lives of the two saints whom we honor today: Saints Nereus and Achilleus. They were praetorian soldiers of the Roman army, during the reign of the emperor Trajan at the end of the first century AD. After converting to Christianity, Nereus and Achilleus were exiled to the island of Terracina, and then beheaded.

Two hundred years after their martyrdom, Pope Damasus composed a power inscription to their honor.  It states that the two soldiers, before their conversion “exercised the cruel office of the tyrant (probably referring to Trajan), being ever ready through the constant of fear to obey his will.  O miracle of faith! Suddenly they cease from their fury, they become converted, they fly from the camp of their wicked leader; they throw away their shields, their armor and their blood-stained javelins.  Confessing the faith of Christ, they rejoice to bear testimony to its triumph.”

Pope Gregory the Great in a homily on the occasion of their feast said, “These saints, before whom we are assembled, despised the world and trampled it under their feet when peace, riches and health gave it charms.”

A lovely commentary on these saints explains: “As in the case of many early martyrs, the Church clings to its memories though the events are clouded in the mists of history. It is a heartening thing for all Christians to know that they have a noble heritage. Our brothers and sisters in Christ have stood in the same world in which we live—militarist, materialist, cruel and cynical—yet transfigured from within by the presence of the Living One. Our own courage is enlivened by the heroes and heroines who have gone before us marked by the sign of faith and the wounds of Christ.”

Jesus prayed, in the Gospel, for the unity of his disciples.  May his prayer be fulfilled in us, as we seek to be one with Nereus and Achilleus, our brothers, who have gone before us in martyrdom. Let us imitate the courage of these glorious martyrs by fearing not the powers and principalities of this world nor by allowing ourselves to be seduced by the comforts, luxuries, and glamors of the world.  Let us imitate their love for Christ in their willingness to suffer for Him and the sake of his Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.