Saint Thyrsus

Saint Thyrsus or Thyrsos, (Tirso (in Spanish);(in Portuguese); Thyrse (in French)) (died 251), is venerated as a Christian martyr. He was killed for his faith in Sozopolis (Apollonia), Phrygia, during the persecution of Decius. Leucius (Leukios) and Callinicus (Kallinikos) were martyred with him. Tradition states that Thyrsus endured many tortures and was sentenced to be sawn in half. However, the saw did not penetrate as it became so heavy that the executioners could not use it. Saint Leucius, after reproaching the governor, Cumbricius, was hanged, harrowed on his sides, and then beheaded. Callinicus, a pagan priest, was converted after seeing the martyrdom of Thyrsus and was also beheaded.

Veneration

Church of San Tirso in Oviedo.

Thyrsus' relics were brought to Constantinople. His cult became popular in the Iberian Peninsula, where he was known as Santo Tirso during the Middle Ages and is called San Tirso today. Thyrsus had a full office in the Mozarabic liturgy. Some of his relics were brought to France: Thyrsus is thus the titular saint of the cathedral of Sisteron in the Basses Alpes, the Cathédrale Notre Dame et Saint Thyrse. Thyrsus is thus the patron saint of Sisteron. A 12th-century church was also dedicated to him at Châteauponsac.