Justus and Pastor


Saints Justus and Pastor are venerated as Christian martyrs.

History

According to their Acts, they were two schoolboys who were killed for their faith during the Diocletian persecutions. Flogged and beheaded outside the Spanish city of Alcalá de Henares, they are today considered the patron saints of Alcalá. They are mentioned by Prudentius.

Veneration

believed to be those of Justus and Pastor were discovered in the 8th century and taken to Huesca. In 1568, they were brought back to Alcalá de Henares and interred beneath the high altar of the city's Cathedral-Magistral of Saints Justus and Pastor. Constructed between 1497 and 1514,the ancient cathedral is still in daily use, and the saints' tomb is accessible to the public.
The Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor in Barcelona was erected in the 16th century in the Gothic style.
Narbonne Cathedral located in the town of Narbonne in southern France is also dedicated to Justus and Pastor.

In popular culture

The story of Justus and Pastor is mentioned in the 2001 film The Others by Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar.