Edistus was a Christian martyr who lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero. According to tradition, he was a soldier who received baptism from Saint Peter. He was executed alongside several companions, including the priest Priscus, Christina, and Thermantia, at a site known as Laurento. His death occurred around 60 AD, and he is recognized as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.
Martyrdom and life
During a mass led by Priscus, Edistus and his followers were discovered by authorities at a sandpit on the Via Laurentina. The group was buried alive in the sand, though a servant named Victoria escaped the initial burial only to be killed later in a forest. Historical accounts suggest his name may have been recorded as Aristus, Orestes, or Horestes.
Veneration and legacy
His relics were once honored at a monastery near San Paolo fuori le Mura. A church dedicated to him was also established at his burial site on the Via Ardeatina. Furthermore, he is the patron of a church on Monte Soratte, which is linked to the town of Sant'Oreste. The town's name likely evolved from linguistic shifts involving his name.