Nazarius was the son of the heathen Africanus and his Christian wife Perpetua. He was baptised by Pope Saint Linus and preached the Gospel at Milan, at Genoa, and then at Cimia, near Nice in Gaul (France), where a lady entrusted to his care her child Celsus whom Nazarius at once adopted as his son. Together they preached the Gospel at Embrun, Geneva, and Treves. In Nero’s persecution Nazarius and Celsus were thrown into the sea, but were saved by a miracle. They proceeded to Milan, where they spread the faith of Christ. And as they with great constancy confessed Christ to be God, the prefect Anolinus, condemned them to death. Their bodies were buried outside the Roman gate, and for a long time remained unknown. But through a divine revelation they were found by Saint Ambrose, sprinkled with fresh blood, as if they had but just suffered martyrdom. They were translated to the city and buried in an honourable tomb.
Dom Prosper Guéranger:
Dom Prosper Guéranger:
Nazarius and Celsus bring glory to the Church of Milan by appearing on the cycle today. After lying forgotten for three centuries in the obscure tomb that had received their precious remains in the time of Nero, they now receive the united homage of East and West. It was nine years since the triumphal day when Gervase and Protase, no less forgotten by the city once witness of their combat, had come to console and strengthen an illustrious Bishop who was persecuted for his profession of the Divine consubstantiality of the same Christ who had had all their love and faith. Ambrose, loved by the martyrs, though denied their palm, was soon to receive the white wreath of confession in reward for his holy works when Heaven revealed to him a new treasure, the discovery of which was again “to illustrate the times of his episcopate.” Theodosius was no more. Ambrose was about to die. The barbarians were at the gates. But as if, simultaneous with the threat of imminent destruction to the ancient world, the hour for the first resurrection spoken of by Saint John had sounded, the martyrs rose from their tombs to reign a thousand years with Christ on the renovated earth.
O NAZARIUS, who, leaving all things, carried name of Christ to countries that knew Him not, and you Celsus, who, though a mere child, did not fear to sacrifice, like him, for Jesus’ sake, your family, your country and your very life: obtain for us the right appreciation of the treasure of faith, which every Christian is called upon to show to advantage by the confession of good works and of praise.
