Martyrs of Camerino — Anastasius, Aradius, Callisto, Eufemia, Evodius, Felice, Primitiva, Theopista

May 11

The martyrs of Camerino are a group of Christian spouses and their children who were executed in 251 AD for their faith in Rome. They are commemorated together on May 11 in the Roman Martyrology, though the Diocese of Camerino also remembers them on May 12. Anastasius, a cornicularius (a civil servant or inspector of justice) from Camerino in the Marche region, was married to Theopista. Together, they had several children: Aradius, Evodius (also called Ebodi), Callisto, Felice, Eufemia (also called Euphemia), and Primitiva. All were devoted pagans before their conversion. Anastasius was moved to faith after witnessing the martyrdom of Saint Porphyry  (also called Porfirio) and other saints, including Saint Venantius (Venantio), on the Via Lata outside Camerino. Porphyry, a local priest, baptized Anastasius and his family — including Theopista and all their children — in the faith. Invited by the authorities to renounce their faith, they chose instead to die for Christ. They were executed on the Via Lata, outside the eastern gate of Camerino, in 251. Their martyrdom was a direct response to the example of Porphyry and Venantius, whose steadfast witness had inspired them.