Saint Candidus
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- For the Armenian saint, see Cyrion and Candidus.
| Saint Candidus | |
|---|---|
 Saint Candidus, by Ayne Bru, 16th century |
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| Born | |
| Died | ~287 AD, Saint Maurice-en-Valais |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d'Agaune |
| Feast | September 22 |
| Attributes | Military attire |
 Saints Portal |
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Saint Candidus (d. 287 AD) was said to have been a commander of the Theban Legion. The Golden Legend states: "And the noble man, Maurice, was duke of this holy legion; and they that governed under him, which bare the banners, were named Saint Candidus, Saint Innocent, Saint Exsuperius, Saint Victor, and Saint Constantine, all these were captains."[1]
Candidus is called Maurice's senator militum or staff officer.[1] He opposed Maximian, who had ordered them to practice non-Christian rites in his name, stating that "we are your soldiers, but we are also servants of the true God. We cannot renounce Him who is our Creator and Master, and also yours even though you reject Him."[2]
Candidus, along with many others, is said to have been martyred at the Swiss town of Saint Maurice-en-Valais, then called Agaunum. His feast day is September 22.
Candidus' relics were stored in a 6th century reliquary at the Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d'Agaune. There was also an embossed silver bust of Candidus.[3]
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[edit] Gallery
 El Greco's The Martyrdom of St. Maurice. One of the figures in the front has been identified as Saint Candidus. |
[edit] Other saints with this name
- Roman martyr buried on the Esquiline Hill, whose feast day is October 3.[4]
- Martyr whose feast day is February 2.[5]
[edit] Notes
- ^ John Bury, "A Source for El Greco's 'St. Maurice'", Burlington Magazine, Vol. 126, No. 972 (Mar., 1984), pp. 144-148.
