Previous Saint This month Next Saint
[Today's previous saint] [back to Calendar] [Today's next saint]
Date unknown, probably c. 304-305.

Julius and Aaron were Roman-Britons who are said to have been put to death at Caerleon-upon-Usk in Monmouthshire, Britain, perhaps in the middle of the 3rd century.

Saint Gildas (f.d. January 29) records that they died under Diocletian, but it is now believed that Diocletian's decree against Christians was not enforced in Britain. Saint Bede (f.d. May 26) simply records their illustrious triumph and that very many others of both sexes, by unheard of tortures, attained to the crown of heavenly glory. Another ancient, but not contemporary, hagiographer relates that Julius and Aaron went to Rome and there applied themselves to the sacred studies. Nothing else is recorded about them. The date c. 304, during the persecution of Diocletian, commonly given to these martyrs is only a conjecture (though a very old one).

Attestation to their cultus can be found in church dedications in and near Caerleon, and mention in the Book of Llan Dav. Gerald of Wales writes that their relics were venerated in Caerleon in 1200 AD, and that each was titular to a church and a monastery; Julius's name belonged to a convent and Aaron's to an abbey of canons. Their feast is kept in the diocese of Cardiff (Attwater, Attwater2, Benedictines, Farmer, Husenbeth).


Previous Saint This month Next Saint
[Today's previous saint] [back to Calendar] [Today's next saint]