Bishop
Blessed Erasmus, the bishop of the city of Formia, left his episcopal throne and hid in the mountains to escape the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. There, he spent seven years in prayer and solitude. Hearing the voice of an angel, he returned to his city, where he was captured and subjected to cruel tortures. However, he remained steadfast in his faith and, though tortured, felt no pain. An angel of the Lord freed him from prison and led him to Italy, where he baptized many people and performed miracles, including the resurrection of a nobleman’s son.
When Emperor Maximian learned of his holy works, he had Erasmus arrested again and subjected to further tortures. Yet the saint remained unharmed. After this, he continued to preach and baptize in various cities, including Sirmium. In the end, the saint peacefully surrendered his soul to God. The Christians who knew him buried his body with great honor.
The holy hieromartyr reposed in 303, on July 10. His relics were first kept in Formia and later transferred to Gaeta.
