Saints Crispin and Crispinian, revered martyrs from the Early Church era, are celebrated for their unwavering faith and dedication to Christian missionary work. Their lives came to a tragic end under the reign of Emperor Diocletian, with their execution date recorded as October 25, 285 or 286. Though widely believed to be brothers, concrete evidence to confirm their familial connection remains elusive.
Originating from a noble Roman background, Crispin and Crispinian chose the city of Soissons in Gaul as their missionary territory. Emulating the Apostle Paul, they engaged in shoemaking to sustain themselves, simultaneously using their earnings to assist the impoverished.
Their steadfast faith brought them into confrontation with Maximianus Herculius, the co-emperor appointed by Diocletian. Maximianus initially attempted to sway them from their beliefs through a combination of promises and threats. Unfazed, Crispin and Crispinian responded, “Thy threats do not terrify us, for Christ is our life, and death is our gain. Thy rank and possessions are nought to us, for we have long before this sacrificed the like for the sake of Christ and rejoice in what we have done. If thou should’st acknowledge and love Christ thou wouldst give not only all the treasures of this life, but even the glory of thy crown itself in order through the exercise of compassion to win eternal life.”
Realizing his efforts were futile, Maximianus handed them over to Rictiovarus (Rictius Varus), a notorious persecutor of Christians. Under Rictiovarus’ orders, they endured horrendous torture yet miraculously survived a subsequent drowning attempt and a perilous fire. Rictiovarus, driven to despair, took his own life. Ultimately, Maximianus ordered the beheading of Saints Crispin and Crispinian.
In the sixth century, a grand basilica was built over their burial site in Soissons. Saint Eligius, a distinguished goldsmith, crafted an elaborate shrine for St. Crispinian’s head. Some of their relics were transported to Rome, finding a home in the church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna, while others were bestowed upon the cathedral at Osnabrück by Charlemagne, marking the dedication of this cathedral to Saints Crispin and Crispinian.
Today, Saints Crispin and Crispinian are celebrated as the patron saints of shoemakers, saddlers, and tanners.
Photo credit: Sergey Kohl / Shutterstock.com
Awesome! It’s amazing how some people would die for their faith. Makes me more “into my faith” too. I want to be like them. Saints Crispin & Crispinian. And their names are cool.
after reading this I feel so unworthy , only thing I can say is , be merciful oh lord for I am a sinner.
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Saints Crispin and Crispinian, pray for us!
Sts. Crispin and Crispinian, pray for us.
Spiritual Love is great for the Holy faithful.
St Crispin and St Crispinian, may all shoemakers provide shoes for those who cannot afford them and keep their feet ever protected so that they may walk a good purpose. Pray for us, dear Saints, to obtain for us a lively faith, constancy in good works, and perseverance in the grace of God even unto death.
Amen.
Ecce Crucem Domini!
Fugite partes adversae!
Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
Radix David! Alleluia!
Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. For Italy.
Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us. For Rome.
Saints Crispin and Crispinian, pray for us. For a fervent conversion of all consecrated men and women who have lost their Faith, or never had an intense intimacy with Christ Crucified. Blood of Christ, wash away their iniquity. Make their hearts like unto Thine. Amen.