Saint Getulius of Tivoli

Biography

Saint Getulius of Tivoli, also known as Getulio, was a Roman officer who served in the armies of the Emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Born in Tivoli, Italy, he was married to Saint Symphorosa of Tivoli, with whom he shared a deep and abiding faith in Christianity. Alongside his brother, Saint Amantius, Getulius made the courageous decision to publicly convert to Christianity. After embracing their new faith, Getulius and Amantius resigned from their military positions and retreated to the countryside of the Sabines. However, their Christian beliefs would not go unnoticed by Emperor Hadrian, who ordered the guards Caerealis and Primitivus to arrest the ex-officer brothers. Rather than arresting them, Caerealis and Primitivus were deeply moved by Getulius and Amantius' conviction and convictionally became converts themselves. Enraged by the failure of his soldiers to carry out his orders, Emperor Hadrian turned to Judge Licinius to condemn the entire group to death. Despite being offered a reprieve if they renounced their faith in Christianity, Saint Getulius, his brother, and their newfound converts steadfastly refused to renounce their beliefs. As a result, they were all sentenced to martyrdom. The exact details of Saint Getulius' martyrdom are uncertain, but historical accounts suggest that he was clubbed to death around the year 120 in Tivoli, Italy. His unwavering faith, along with the courage and dedication shown by all those who perished alongside him, have earned him a place among the saints. Saint Getulius of Tivoli, though not widely represented in art, is venerated as a martyr and a saint in the Catholic Church. He is honored on his feast day, which falls on June 10th. Despite being canonized before the establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, his recognition as a saint predates this pre-congregation period. While Saint Getulius does not have a widely recognized patronage, his life and martyrdom serve as an example of unwavering faith, courage, and dedication to the Christian faith. His story continues to inspire believers, reminding them of the price that some have paid for their devotion to Christ.