Episode 2452: St. Hermes

St. Hermes is a lesser-known early Christian saint and martyr, whose feast day is celebrated on August 28th in the Roman Catholic Church. Little is known about his life, but his name appears in early martyrologies, and he is venerated as a holy martyr who remained faithful to Christ in the face of persecution.

According to tradition, St. Hermes lived during the time of the Roman Empire, possibly during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (AD 117–138). He is believed to have been a Roman nobleman and a Christian convert. His steadfast faith eventually led to his arrest and martyrdom for refusing to renounce Christianity.

Hermes is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology, where he is mentioned as one of the many Christians who suffered martyrdom under Roman persecution. His burial is traditionally associated with the catacombs of Saint Basilia in Rome, which were an important early Christian burial site.

While much of the historical details about St. Hermes remain obscure, his legacy as a martyr serves as a testament to the endurance of faith during the early years of the Christian Church, when believers faced severe persecution.