Fructuosus
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| Fructuosus of Tarragona | |
|---|---|
 Detail of a Romanesque mural of Saint Fructuosus at Bierge, Huesca |
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| Bishop and Martyr | |
| Born | unknown |
| Died | 259 |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church, Church of England |
| Feast | 16 April in the Roman Catholic Church and 21 January in the Church of England |
 Saints Portal |
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Saint Fructuosus of Tarragona ((Catalan) Sant Fructuós) (died 259) was a bishop and Christian saint and martyr, the outstanding name in the early history of Christianity in Hispania. He was bishop of Tarragona and was arrested during the persecutions of Christians under the Roman Emperor Valerian (reigned 253 - 260). Along with him were two deacons, Augurius and Eulogius. In 259, he was questioned by the praeses Aemilianus and burned at the stake in the local amphitheatre in Tarragona. The Acta of the martyrdom of the bishop Fructuosus and his deacons Augurius and Eulogius document his legend; they are the earliest Hispanic Acta, "marked by a realistic simplicity which contrasts very favourably with many of the Acta of Diocletian's persecution" (Wace). His Acta are referred to in a hymn by Prudentius and praised and extensively quoted by Augustine of Hippo. The historical list of the bishops of Tarragona, therefore, begins with Fructuosus.
His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church is April 16 and January 21 in the Church of England.
