CONCERNING S. FLAVIANUS, PREFECT OF THE CITY, MARTYR.
Under Diocletian.
CommentaryFlavianus, Prefect of the City, Martyr (S.)
This is not the Flavianus who was father of the holy Virgins Demetria and Bibiana and husband of S. Dafrosa, who is venerated on 22 December, and of whom we treated on 4 January in the Acts of S. Dafrosa; although he too is recorded on this day by Ferrarius in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy. But this is another, himself also illustrious as Vicar of the Prefecture of the City, who Baronius writes suffered in the year of Christ 303, vol. 2, at the year 303, no. 115. The memory of S. Flavianus in the sacred Calendars on 28 January. Concerning him, the Roman Martyrology on 28 January: "In the same place (Rome), of S. Flavianus the Martyr, who suffered under Diocletian." Galesinius: "At Rome, of S. Flavianus the Martyr, whose noble contest undertaken for Christ in the persecution of Diocletian was distinguished." and on the 30th. Very many record him on 30 January. Usuard, Bellinus, the Germanic Martyrology, the MS. Florarium, and many ancient MS. Martyrologies: "On the same day, of S. Flavianus the Martyr." The Paris edition of Usuard of the year 1536 calls him Flavius on the same 30th. Maurolycus records him on the same day. On what occasion Flavianus was converted and by what means he completed his martyrdom, we shall say on 29 January when we treat of S. Serena the Virgin, Maximus and Secunda her parents, and Marcus and Calendius her brothers.