Viktor of Xanten

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

Saint Viktor of Xanten
Statue of Saint Victor outside of Xanten Cathedral
Died	4th century
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church
Major shrine	Xanten Cathedral
Feast	October 10
Attributes	Military attire

Tradition states that Viktor was a Praefectus cohortis of a Cohort of the Theban Legion. He was closely associated with Ursus of Solothurn, and is said to have been a relative of Saint Verena. He was executed in the 4th century in the amphitheater of Castra Vetera (the site of present-day Xanten) for refusing to sacrifice to the Roman gods.

References

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