Hosta

Viktor of Xanten was a 4th century martyr and saint recognized by the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. Since the 12th century, his presumed bones have been kept in a shrine, which is embedded in the high altar of the Xanten Cathedral. His feast day is October 10.

Narrative

Tradition states that Viktor, as a Praefectus cohortis of a Cohort of the Theban Legion, was not caught up in the decimation at Agaunum but then fell victim to the persecution under Emperor Maximian together with other companions in Xanten.^[1] He was executed in the amphitheater of Castra Vetera (the site of present-day Xanten) for refusing to sacrifice to the Roman gods. He was closely associated with Ursus of Solothurn, and is said to have been a relative of Saint Verena.

Victor was first mentioned by Gregory of Tours in connection with the discovery of the bones of a Mallosus in the village of Birten, today a suburb of Xanten.^[2] The place name "Xanten" is also derived as "ze santen", which thus refers to a widely known and revered burial place.^[1] According to legend, Helena of Constantinople recovered the bones of Victor and his legion and erected a chapel in their honour.

According to other traditions, he was a companion of Gereon of Cologne. The tradition of Victor as a member of the Theban Legion is mixed with that of Victor of Agaunum and Victor of Solothurn.^[1]

References

Sources

• Ekkart Sauser (2003). "Victor von Xanten: hl. Märtyrer". In Bautz, Traugott (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 21. Nordhausen: Bautz. col. 1511. ISBN 3-88309-110-3.
• (in Dutch) H.Victor van Xanten, martelaar