First Martyrs of the Church of Rome

The Orthodox Church celebrates them on 30 June in its liturgical calendar as pre-1054 East-West Schism Western saints Rome had a large Jewish population.

"[3] Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.

Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car.

Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed.

All of the early Roman martyrs retain their place in the Martyrology and can be celebrated in local calendars or privately unless impeded by a greater observance.

The placement of the feast is directly after the Solemnity of SS Peter and Paul, who are the principal patron saints of Rome.