Hilary and Tatian, martyrs of Aquileia

Biography

He renounced commerce with the world to dedicate himself to the study of the Holy Scriptures. He was ordained a deacon and later, at the urging of his fellow Christians, he was consecrated a bishop. He governed his flock with wisdom and prudence; He was the one who ordained a disciple of his, named Tatian, as a deacon, to help him in his ministry.

Caesar Numerianus issued an edict forcing Christians to worship idols. Beronio, prefect of the city, was in charge of its execution. At the instigation of a certain Monophantus, priest of idols, Hilary and his deacon Tatianus were the first to appear before the prefect.

In vain Beronius tried to dominate him with threats; These did not have the slightest effect. To no avail either, he led Hilary before the statue of Hercules in his sumptuous temple. The bishop had nothing but contempt and disdain for those gods made by the hands of men and who could not speak or walk.

Then Beronius had him stripped of his clothes and beaten with rods. Then he ordered them to spread it on the trestle and destroy its sides with hooks until the insides appeared. Hilario did not stop singing hymns to the Lord in the midst of the torture. Beronius ordered that the tortures be multiplied and varied. Then he locked him in a prison to inflict even more torment on him.

The next day, they denounced Tatianus, Bishop Hilario's deacon, to the prefect. Tatian had to appear before Beronius, but all attempts to make him sacrifice to the gods were equally unsuccessful. The same torments applied to Hilario were renewed in his person.

When he met Hilary in prison, he greeted him with joy and the two prayed together to the Lord to confuse those who worshiped idols. A terrible storm broke out in the city and frightened the pagans of Aquileia. Many died from the shock alone.

The temple of Hercules collapsed to the ground. Beronius gave the order to behead Hilary and Tatian, at the request of the priests of the idols. Other Christians who had also been arrested for the name of Christ were immolated with them.

They all died on March 16. The next day, the clergy and faithful obtained permission to collect their bodies and bury them with honors outside the city walls.