Saint Cornelius the Centurion

Life story

Acts 10 introduces Cornelius as a centurion of what is called the Italian cohort, stationed at Caesarea. He is described as devout and God-fearing along with his whole household, generous to the poor and constant in prayer. He was not a Jew. One afternoon, at the ninth hour, an angel appeared to him and told him to send men to Joppa to fetch a man named Simon Peter.

At the same time in Joppa, Peter saw a vision of a great sheet full of animals and heard a command not to call unclean what God had made clean. When Cornelius's messengers arrived, Peter went with them to Caesarea and entered Cornelius's house, where many had gathered. While Peter was speaking, Acts says the Holy Spirit came down on the listeners, and Peter had them baptised. Peter later explained the events to the community in Jerusalem (Acts 11), and the episode is recalled again when the question of admitting non-Jews is discussed (Acts 15).

The New Testament says nothing more about his life. is honoured in Orthodox tradition as a hieromartyr; these accounts do not agree. As for his feast, the newer Roman Martyrology gives 20 October, while 2 February is the date in older editions; the Orthodox Church keeps 13 September. As for his feast, the newer Roman Martyrology gives 20 October, while 2 February is the date in older editions; the Orthodox Church keeps 13 September.

Works and witness

• Roman centurion at Caesarea, devout though not a Jew
• Told by an angel to send for Peter (Acts 10)
• Baptised by Peter with his household after the Spirit came upon them
• The events in his house were retold by Peter in Jerusalem (Acts 11)
• According to later tradition, became a bishop

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• New Testament – Acts of the Apostles
• Martyrologium Romanum
• Apostolic Constitutions

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.