Saint Chrysogonus
Saint Chrysogonus was an early Christian martyr. According to holy tradition, he was a knight in the Roman army. In exchange for abandoning Christianity, Roman emperor Diocletian offered him the position of prefect of a province. Chrysogonus declined the offer and was executed as part of the persecution.
Chrysogonus was martyred at Aquileia, probably during the Diocletianic Persecution (303–311 AD), was buried there, and publicly venerated by the faithful of that region. He is the patron saint of Zadar. His name is found in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum on two different days, 31 May and 24 November, with the topographical note "in Aquileia". The name derives from the Ancient Greek “Chrysógonos (Χρυσόγονος)”, composed of the elements: the “khrūsós (χρῡσός)” (golden, gold, something dear or precious) plus “génnēsis (γέννησις)” (birth). Thus the meaning of Chrysogonus is a dear or precious birth.
Very early indeed the veneration of this martyr of Aquileia was transferred to Rome, where in Trastevere a titular church bears his name. This church ("Titulus Chrysogoni") is first mentioned in the signatures of the Roman Synod of 499, but it probably dates from the 4th century. It is possible that the founder of the church was a certain Chrysogonus, and that, on account of the similarity of name, the church was soon devoted to the veneration of the martyr of Aquileia, In a similar way the veneration of Saint Anastasia of Sirmium was transplanted to Rome. It is also possible, however, that from the beginning, for some unknown reason, it was consecrated to Saint Chrysogonus and does take its name from him.
Patron saint of Zadar
In the Martyrology
- November 24 Saint Crisogono, bishop of Aquileia, martyr