Baring-Gould’s sources: From the Acts published by Bollandus, an early recension of the original Acts.

When the Emperor Aurelian [Roman emperor 270–275] was in Gaul [roughly modern France and Belgium], he came to Troyes, and hearing that there was a Christian there, named Patroclus, he ordered him to be brought before him, when the following examination was had of him:—

Aurelian —"What is thy name?" He answered, "I am called Patroclus."

Aurelian —"What is thy religion, or, what God dost thou worship?"

Patroclus —"I adore the living and true God, who inhabits heaven, and regards the humble, and knows all things or ever they are done."

Aurelian —"Give up this nonsense, and adore and serve our Gods, from whom you will derive honour and riches."

Patroclus —"I will adore only the true God, who made all things visible and invisible."

Aurelian —"Dispute of those things which you say are true."

Patroclus —"Those things which I declare are true and probable; but I know why falsehood hates the truth."

Aurelian —"I will burn you alive if you will not sacrifice to the gods."

Patroclus —"I offer the sacrifice of praise, and myself as a living victim to God who has deigned to call me to martyrdom."

Then Aurelian commanded—"Put fetters on his feet, and hot manacles on his hands, and cudgel him on the back, and then shut him up in a privy cell, until I make up my mind what is to be done with him."

Then Patroclus was given into custody to one Elegius until the third day. And when he was brought forth again to be examined, Aurelian greeted him with, "Well, despiser, hast thou thought better of it, and art thou ready to sacrifice?"

Patroclus —"The Lord delivereth the souls of his servants, and will not forsake them that hope in Him. If thou desirest anything out of my treasures, I will freely give it thee, for, believe me, thou art poor."

Aurelian —"I, poor!"

Patroclus —"Thou hast earthly wealth, but art poor in faith of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Aurelian —"Enough of this. Our gods are mighty."

Patroclus —"Who are they?"

Aurelian —"First Apollo, the chief; [105] then Jove, the great god; and Diana, the mother of the gods." [106]

Patroclus —"Why, how can they be almighty, when Apollo kept sheep for Admetus, and Jove died of a pain in his belly; and as for your Diana, every one knows she is the noon-tide demon."

Then Aurelian, inflamed with rage, ordered Patroclus to be taken to a marshy place, and to be there executed. But when the soldiers led him to the bank of the Seine, which had overflowed, Patroclus escaped from them across the river, and took refuge on a hill dedicated to idol worship. Here a woman saw him, and she went straightway and told the soldiers. Then they came upon him, and smote off his head.

S. Patroclus in France is called S. Parre . He is one of the Patrons of Troyes.