Caesarius of Africa

Caesarius of Terracina, also Caesarius of Africa, (* in Africa, Life-history unknown ) was a martyr and saint.

According to various sources and legends Caesarius suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Nero, Emperor Trajan or only under the Emperor Diocletian. Caesarius should have protested against the pagan custom in Terracina, every year to sacrifice a young man in honor of Apollo, by overthrew him by a rock. He was then indicted by a priest of Apollo and sewn together with the local priest Julian and Felix and Eusebius in a sack and drowned in the sea.

Above his grave on the Via Appia in Terracina is attested since the 6th century a chapel. The Cathedral of Terracina San Cesareo is dedicated to him.

Caesarius is patron of Italian municipalities of San Cesareo, San Cesario di Lecce San Cesario sul Panaro, Cesa and Terracina.

Anno II had an arm relic of the saint in the church of St. George bring in Cologne. Another arm relic is located in the Lateran in Rome. Other relics are in the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome.