He was bishop of Tarragona and was arrested during the persecutions of Christians under the Roman Emperor Valerian (reigned 253 – 260).

The 18th-century hagiographer Alban Butler wrote that while he was being led to his execution "on a Friday at ten o'clock in the morning, [he] refused to drink because it was not the hour [after sunset] to break the fast of the day, though fatigued with imprisonment, and standing in need of strength".

They were not completely successful, though, and near the gate of the amphitheatre some of the Christians were able to get close to Fructuosus, and one of them asked him for his prayers.

St. Fructuosus replied, in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, "I am bound to bear in mind the whole universal Church from east to west."

As the flames rose and enveloped the martyrs, they stretched out their arms, praying to their God until they died.