Crispus, Crispinianus, and Benedicta

Crispus (or Crispinus), Crispinianus and Benedicta were Roman Christian martyrs, venerated after their death as saints. According to hagiographical accounts, their death followed as a result of the martyrdom of Saints John and Paul. According to the Acta Sanctorum, they were killed during the reign of Julian. This would place their deaths during the years 361 to 363 CE. The traditional date of their martyrdom is June 27, 362.

Their story was synthesized by the Bollandists into a unified account in the Acta Sanctorum using two sources: the Acts of Saints John and Paul (Acta SS. Ioannis et Pauli) and the Martyrology of Saint Jerome (Martyrologium S. Hieronymi). Their story is also recounted, alternately in Italian and Latin, by Antonio Bosio in Roma Sotteranea.

According to the martyrologies, the martyrdom of Crispus, Crispinianus, and Benedicta occurred in conjunction with that of Saints John and Paul, two soldiers who were put to death by the order of the emperor Julian the Apostate. Crispus was a priest, Crispinianus a cleric of indeterminate rank, and Benedicta a venerabilis femina ("venerable woman"). The Bollandist account refers to her as a virgin, whereas Antonio Bosio calls her .

In the martyrdom account, John and Paul, condemned and awaiting their death, send for Crispus, Crispinian, and Benedicta so that the priest can offer Mass for them, and so that they can relate the story of their sufferings to the other Christians. John and Paul are being kept under house arrest. Ten days after their first visit, Crispus and his companions attempt to see John and Paul again to comfort them. This time, however, they are turned away by the guards. Shortly thereafter John and Paul are secretly killed and buried in their home. Crispus, Crispinianus, and Benedicta reacted to this news by "mourning in their home, and praying each day, and the tears from their eyes did not cease, both day and night." They then pray to receive some sign of where John and Paul had been buried. Shortly thereafter, God reveals the location of the martyrs' bodies to them (manifestavit illis Deus). The means by which this revelation occurred is not specified.

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