Faustinus and Viator, Saints, Martyrs

SIMPLICIO, FAUSTINO and VIATRICE, saints, martyrs. - They are commemorated in the Martyrologies on 29 July; they are likewise remembered on the same date in the Sacramentaries; the Itineraries of the 7th century mention their tombs on the Via Portuense « ad sextum Philippi », that is, Generosa (v.).

There, in the last century, the ruins of the basilica built in their honour by Pope Damaso in 382 were discovered, together with a fragment of the dedicatory inscription and a 6th-century painting depicting the martyrs (reproduced at V. GENERE). In 682–83 Pope Leo II transferred their bodies to a chapel near the church of S. Bibiana. Their highly legendary Passio was often joined to that of Antimo (BHL, 561-65).