Saint Romanus Ostiarius, Martyr of Rome (+258), was a Roman legionary who converted to Christianity while assisting Saint Lawrence at his martyrdom. During the martyrdom of St Deacon Lawrence, Romanus had a vision of an angel to relieve his agony and decided to request baptism. Romanus, trying to act secretly, approached the deacon with a pitcher of water, and he baptized him. St. Romanus was immediately seized and severely beaten. Then, after he publicly declared that he was a Christian, Saint Romanus was taken to the Salt Gate and beheaded on 9 August 258, during the persecution of Emperor Valerian I. His relics are located in Rome, Lucca, Ferrara, and Avella. St. Romanus is venerated as the patron saint of Monaco, and his feast day is commemorated on 9 August.