Saint Genesius of Rome | |
|---|---|
 Statue of St. Genesius with mask and baptismal font in St. Giles Church in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany | |
| Actor & martyr | |
| Born | 3rd century |
| Died | 303 |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church[citation needed] |
| Major shrine | Church of Santa Susanna, Rome, Italy |
| Feast | August 25 |
| Patronage | Actors, playwrights, clowns, comedians, comics, converts, dancers, musicians, stenographers, printers, lawyers, epileptics, thieves, torture victims[1] |
Genesius of Rome is a legendary Christian saint, once a comedian and actor who had performed in plays that mocked Christianity. According to legend, while performing in a play that made fun of baptism, he had an experience on stage that converted him. He proclaimed his new belief, and he steadfastly refused to renounce it, even when the emperor Diocletian ordered him to do so.
Genesius is considered the patron saint of actors, lawyers, barristers, clowns, comedians, converts, dancers, people with epilepsy, musicians, printers, stenographers, and victims of torture. His feast day is August 25.