Saint Romanus of Antioch and Saint Barulas

Saint Romanus of Antioch and Saint Barulas (1638) Francisco de Zurbarán

Francisco de Zurbarán's “Saint Romanus of Antioch and Saint Barulas” (1638) depicts the martyr St. Romanus holding his tongue, which his tormentors cut out, while holding a book open to a page that begs God for intercession on behalf of the faithful. Looking up at him is 7 year old St. Barulas who was also martyred with St. Romanus.
Sad Fact: Only eight years after the brutal killings of St. Romanus and St Barulas, Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity which significantly reduced the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.