Concordius of Spoleto was a 2nd-century Christian subdeacon born in Rome. The son of a presbyter named Gordian, he lived a reclusive life dedicated to prayer. During the persecutions under Marcus Aurelius, he was arrested and brought to Spoleto for trial. Despite being subjected to torture on a rack, he refused to renounce his religious convictions. His steadfastness eventually led to his execution after he rejected the worship of a Roman idol.
Life and death
After being ordained by Pope Pius I, Concordius lived a solitary life of prayer. Following his arrest, the governor of Umbria offered him freedom if he would worship Jupiter. Concordius refused this offer and was beaten on a rack. He was imprisoned for two days before being given a final opportunity to renounce his faith. He chose to spit on the statue instead, resulting in his beheading around 175 AD.
Veneration
He is recognized as a saint in the Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox traditions. His feast day is observed on January 2 in the Roman Catholic Church and on June 4 in the Eastern Orthodox Church.