NAZARIO and CELSO, saints, martyrs. - They are commemorated in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum on 28 July. The date of their martyrdom is unknown, but it seems likely that it may be assigned to the beginning of Diocletian’s persecution. Their bodies were found by s. Ambrogio after 395 in a garden: that of N. was transferred to the basilica of the Apostles in Milan, which subsequently took his name, while that of C. was left in its place, where a basilica was later erected.
Towards the middle of the 5th century, probably by an African attached to the basilica of N., a fabulous Passio (BHL, 6039-50) was composed, according to which N. was baptized by s. Lino while the Prince of the Apostles was still alive; after travelling extensively and preaching the Gospel in Italy and in the Galilees, he was said to have been killed in Milan together with the boy C., under Nero.