Victor (3rd century)

Biography

It is the most famous of the forty Victors contained in the martyrologies. His cult is very old, dating back to the year 415, when a monastery that bears his name was built in Marseille. It is said that he was such a brilliant officer that Maximian had appointed him his military advisor. That year the Christians of Marseille wondered what would become of them upon learning that the emperor would settle in their city for some time. What kind of persecution would they suffer from the one who had just exterminated the Christian soldiers of the Theban Legion. Luckily, Victor arrived with his testimony and his affection to pray with them and encourage the most fearful. As soon as he found out, Maximian ordered the leaders of his army to bring his advisor back to good sense. They urged him to be faithful to the gods and to the friendship of the emperor, rather than worship a crucified man. But Victor, tired of pretending and eager to go see God, answered with a provocation: "Your gods are demons. A bad plague befall a man's friendship if, to keep it, I must betray the One who died to save me and make me happy eternally!" He repeated the same thing in front of the emperor. In response, he was dragged through the streets of the city in order to allow the populace to shower him with insults and beatings. Taken to prison, Victor converted his three guards: Longinus, Alexander and Feliciano, who declared themselves Christians and were beheaded. As for himself, after having suffered the most horrible torments, he was crushed by a millstone in the public baths.