Symphorian, a Pious Christian, in the Year 275

It is stated that at this time, when the heathen at Augustodunum, now called Autum, in Burgundy, on a feast day of the goddess Cybele, whom they called the mother of the gods, carried her image around on a wagon, in procession, a certain pious Christian, called Symphorianus, met this image, and refused to worship it; in consequence of which he was arrested as an impious person, or despiser of the gods, and brought before Heraclius, the Proconsul, who, in that city, kept the strictest watch over the Christians. When he stood before the judgment seat, the Proconsul asked him for his name. Symphorian replied that he was a Christian by religion, was born of Christian parents, and had received the name Symphorian.

The Judge said: "Why did you not honor the mother of the gods, or worship her image?"

Symphorian answered: "Because I am a Christian, and call only upon the living God, who reigns in heaven. But as for the image of Satan, I not only do not worship it, but, if you will let me, I will break it in pieces with a hammer."

The Judge said: "This man is not only sacrilegious at heart, but also obstinate and a rebel; but perhaps he knows nothing of the ordinances or decrees of the Emperor. Let the officer, therefore, read to him the decrees of the Emperors."

When the decrees had been read to him, Symphorian said: "I shall nevertheless never confess that this image is anything but a worthless idol of Satan, by which he persuades men that he is a god; while it is a plain proof of their eternal destruction for all those who put their trust in it."

Upon this confession the judge had him scourged and cast into prison, to keep him for some other day. Some time afterward, he had him brought again before his judgment seat, and addressed him with kind words, saying: "Symphorian, sacrifice to the gods, so that you may be promoted to the highest honor and station at court. If not, I call the gods to witness that I am compelled this day, after various tortures, to sentence you to death."

Symphorian answered: "What does it matter if we give up this life to Christ, since, by reason of debt, we must in any event pay it to Him? Your gifts and presents are mingled with the sweetness of the adulterated honey, with which you poison the minds of the unbelieving. But our treasure and riches are always in Christ, our Lord, alone; and they do not perish through age or length of time, whereas your desire is insatiable, and you possess nothing, even though you have everything in abundance. The joy and mirth which you enjoy in this world is like fine glass, which, if placed in the radiance and heat of the sun, cracks and breaks in two; but God alone is our supreme happiness."

After Symphorian had said these and similar things before the judge, Heraclius, the Proconsul, pronounced sentence of death upon him, saying: "Symphorian, having openly been found guilty of death, because he has blasphemed against the holy altars, shall be executed with the sword."

When this godly confessor was led to death, to be offered up to Christ, his mother called down to him from the wall of the city this comforting admonition: "Symphorian, my son! my son! Remember the living God; let your heart be steadfast and valiant. We surely cannot fear death, which beyond doubt leads us into the true life. Lift up your heart to heaven, my son, and behold Him who reigns in heaven! Today your life will not be taken from you, but changed into a better one. If you remain steadfast today, you will make a happy exchange: leaving this earthly house, you will go to dwell in the tabernacle not made with hands."

Symphorian, having been strengthened in this way by his mother, was taken out of the city, and beheaded there, having commended his soul into the hands of God, in the time of Emperor Aurelian, and Heraclius, the Proconsul, at Autum in Burgundy. [n221-1] His dead body was buried by certain Christians. Compare A. Mell., 1st book, folio 19, column 4, and folio 90, column 1, ex Actis Proconsul. Greg. Turan. Degl. Confess., chapter 77, and Hist., book 2, chapter 15, with various other authors concerning Symphorian. [n221-2]