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Saint John and Saint Paul, Comfort the Sorrowful

Feast Day June 26 (Died Circa 362)

There is very little historical record of the lives of these martyrs. Tradition tells us that John and Paul lived in Rome during the reign of Julian the Apostate in the 4th century.

During this era, Christians gathered in secret at various homes to worship. The emperor discovered John and Paul, and he swiftly had them beheaded. They were then buried, in secret, beneath their homes. This act was considered a violation of Roman laws, which stated that burials had to take place outside the city's walls to prevent disease.

Devotion to John and Paul grew after their deaths, and church was built on the site of their graves a few years after their deaths. This church was elevated to the status of basilica by Pope Leo, and was nearly destroyed by Norman invaders in 1084. It was finally restored in the early 1700's.

Visitors to Rome still visit the church of Santi Giovanno e Paulo.