May. 12 Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter; Opt. Mem. of Sts. Nereus & Achilleus, Martyrs; Opt. Mem. of St. Pancras, Martyr, Opt. Mem.

The Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of Saints Nereus and Achilleus (d. 98) who were Roman soldiers in the household of Flavia Domitilla. They were instructed and converted by St. Peter. These two soldiers in turn inspired St. Domitilla to consecrate her virginity to God. Thereupon, Aurelianus, the fiancee of Domitilla, reported all three to the Roman authorities as being Christians. They were martyred out of hatred for Christianity.