Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian

Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian (3rd–4th centuries), martyrs. These apparently unconnected martyrs were formerly culted together. There is considerable doubt about their identity. Timothy was a martyr at Rome under Diocletian, recorded in the Depositio Martyrum of 354. He was buried on the Ostian Way.

Hippolytus is said to have suffered at Porto or at Ostia; there may well have been confusion with Hippolytus of Rome.

Symphorian was martyred at Autun c.200 for refusing to honour the pagan gods, notably Cybele, of whom there was a notable shrine. He was beheaded and buried in a cave, over which Euphronius, bishop of Autun, built a church in the 5th century. The village and church of Veryan (Cornwall) take their name from this martyr. Feast: formerly 22 August, suppressed in the Roman calendar in 1969: but the new Martyrology records Symphorian of Autun on this day.

Bibliography
Click here for a list of abbreviations used in this bibliography.

• B.L.S., viii. 99–101; G. H. Doble, St. Symphorian (1931)