Martyr. A Roman senator who was supposedly converted by the Apostles, he has been identified as possibly being the Pudens mentioned in St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy. He is also reputedly the father of St. Pudentiana, although the basis of this lineage is now known to be without historical foundation. Pudens is confused with the third century Pudens who established a church out of his own house which came to be called the Domus Pudentiana, a title which was the basis for the stories of Pudentiana and the creation of various and dubious Acta.
1st century Christian saint and martyr
Russian icon
Saint Pudens was an early Christian saint and martyr.
He is mentioned as a layman of the Roman Church in 2 Timothy 4:21.
He is said to have been the son of Quintus Cornelius Pudens, a Roman Senator, and his wife Priscilla. According to legend, they were among the first converted by St. Peter in Rome.
Pudens was baptised by Peter, who was a guest in his parent's house in Rome. Pudens was martyred under Nero (reigned 54–68). He is commemorated on April 14 in the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar and May 19 according to the Dominican Martyrology.
He is said to have had two sons, Novatus and Timotheus, and two daughters, Praxedes and Pudentiana, all saints, but if Pudens' life is documented, those of his daughters is derived only by the existence of two ancient churches, Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana in Rome.
The acts of the synod of Pope Symmachus (499) show the existence of a titulus Pudentis, a church with the authority to administer sacraments, which was also known as ecclesia Pudentiana.
Notes
- ^ "Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren." (Revised Standard Version)
- ^ Chandlery, Peter Joseph. Pilgrim Walks in Rome: A Guide to the Holy Places in the City and Its Vicinity, America Press, 1908, p.104
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Praxedes and Pudentia". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
