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Saint '''Genesius of Rome''' was an actor of some renown who was [[Martyr|martyred]] for the Christian faith in the persecution of Emperor [[Diocletian]] around the year 303 AD.<ref group="note">[[w:Caesar Baronius|Baronius]] fixes the date of his martyrdom at 303, and [[w:Louis-Sébastien Le Nain de Tillemont|Tillemont]] (''Mem.'' iv. 695) at 285 or 286.</ref> His [[feast day]] is [[August 25]].

His companions, not knowing what had happened, continued the blasphemous mockery. When the whole ceremony was performed, they threw a white robe over Genesius in derision of the garment usually given to the newly-converted and baptized; thus clothed, they presented him to the people amidst great hilarity. But Genesius, already a true believer in [[Christ]], turned to the Emperor and other spectators and [[Confession|confessed]] to them with great dignity what had taken place within him. He declared solemnly that until that day, blinded by idolatry, he had scoffed and derided Christianity, and therefore had proposed to represent baptism on the stage, for the amusement of the people. But during the sacrilegious performance, his heart had suddenly changed, and he desired to become a Christian. He said that he had seen the heavens open, and perceived a hand that touched him, when the baptismal water was poured over him. He further stated that before they had baptized him, he had seen an [[angel]], with a book in which all his past iniquities had been recorded, who assured him that they would all be washed away by holy baptism, and that he had in fact seen that all his vices had been obliterated from its pages. After relating this, he added that he renounced idolatry, and believing that Jesus Christ was the [[Son of God]], and the Redeemer of the world, he would henceforth live and die a Christian. In conclusion, he exhorted the Emperor and all present to follow his example and worship the only true God.

It soon became clear to the Emperor and the audience that he was no longer acting. The Emperor then became enraged at his noble and frank [[confession]], and gave immediate orders that his garments should be torn from him, and that he should he whipped with scourges and clubs before all the people, and then be cast into prison. Plautian, the prefect, received orders to renew this punishment daily until Genesius would abandon his new faith and sacrifice to the pagan gods. The holy confessor was stretched upon the rack, torn with iron hooks, and burned with torches. As the prefect urged him to submit to the imperial command and sacrifice to the pagan gods, the holy martyr replied:

:"Your Emperor is but a mortal man; whoever desires the favor of such, may seek it of him. I pray to the immortal King of heaven and earth, and will never forsake Him. I know that He, who received me in Holy [[Baptism]], is the true King, and I [[Repentance|repent]] for having so often derided and offended Him. I will not obey Diocletian, whose reign will soon be over, and who will one day become as naught. You may torture me, therefore, as much as you like; I will remain faithful to my [[God]]. If you had the power to kill me a hundred times, you would not be able to take Him out of my heart or my mouth."

Plautian, provoked at his fearlessness, reported his words to the Emperor, who ordered him beheaded, which sentence was executed in year of our Lord 303. Thus St. Genesius, who from an idolater became a Christian, and from a scoffer of Christianity a fearless confessor of the Saviour, received the crown of [[Martyr|martyrdom]].

[[Category:Martyrs]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Pre-Schism Western Saints]]