Saint Marcellus of Tangier

Saint Marcellus, a Roman centurion at Tingis, today's Tangier, in North Africa, near the end of the third century.

On Emperor Maximian's birthday, the feast required sacrifice to the Roman gods. Marcellus, it is said, would not take part. He cast off his belt, his weapons, and the vine staff that marked his rank.

Brought before the deputy prefect Agricolanus, he pleaded guilty to renouncing his allegiance to an earthly ruler. He was martyred by the sword.

It is said that Cassian, the court's shorthand writer, was so angered he refused to record the trial.

His relics were later enshrined in León, Spain, where he became a patron saint of the city.

He gave up his rank rather than divide his loyalty. Some loyalties cannot be shared.