Saint Candidus

Who was Saint Candidus?

Saint Candidus was, according to legend, a commander of the Theban Legion. The Golden Legend states: "And the noble man, Maurice, was duke of this holy legion; and they that governed under him, which bare the banners, were named Saint Candidus, Saint Innocent, Saint Exsuperius, Saint Victor, and Saint Constantine, all these were captains."

Candidus is called Maurice's senator militum or staff officer. He opposed Maximian, who had ordered them to practice non-Christian rites in his name, stating that "we are your soldiers, but we are also servants of the true God. We cannot renounce Him who is our Creator and Master, and also yours even though you reject Him."

Candidus, along with many others, is said to have been martyred at the Swiss town of Saint Maurice-en-Valais, then called Agaunum. His feast day is September 22.

Candidus' relics were stored in a 6th-century reliquary at the Abbaye de Saint-Maurice d'Agaune. There was also an embossed silver bust of Candidus.