October 30th. St. Marcellus the Centurion.

St. Marcellus is perhaps the most distinguished recorded case of someone who refused to continue to serve in the Roman army because of his adhesion to Christ; two separate accounts ("Acts") of his martyrdom have survived, though it is not clear whether it took place in Leon in Northern Spain or at Tangiers on the North African coast. During the birthday celebrations for the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian on July 21st., 298, Marcellus "a regular centurion, first class" threw away his arms and badge of allegiance in front of his legion's banner' saying: "I am a soldier of Jesus Christ the eternal King. From now on I cease to serve your emperors and I despise the worship of your gods of wood and stone, for they are deaf and dumb images". The local governor, Fortunatus, clearly regarded Marcellus as temporarily deranged, and wanted to hide what had happened from higher authority, but could not. On the day of his death, Marcellus' case was read out before the prefect Agricolanus; Marcellus made things even clearer by saying then that it is not fitting for a Christian to fight for the armies of this world. He was duly sentenced to be put to death by the sword, and left the judgement hall saying: "Agricolanus, may God reward you". Persecution of Christians by Roman Emperors was often for the very reason that they were suspected of being unwilling to fight in the imperial armies.