Secundus1, son of a French knight, received due to his outstanding foundation already from early childhood a careful upbringing, first in his father’s house and then in Paris. Later he attended the best-known foreign schools (including Carthage) and word of his philosophical learning spread over the Orient.
When he returned home he learned that his father had died. He hurried to the widows’ refuge of his mother but disguised himself to test her devotion to his father’s memory. By the time of the evening meal, he was able to bring her to promise to share her accommodations with him. Finding him reserved, she sought to find the reason — and Secundus then revealed his name. The pain she felt at knowing her own son had uncovered her loose morals caused her sudden death.
Wracked with guilt of killing his mother, Secundus took an oath of silence. Accompanied by a servant with the task of translator, he traveled to Constantinople. Emperor Hadrian, who had heard much of his wisdom as a philosopher, summoned Secundus to appear before him and asked him a number of questions but received no answer.
Angered, the Emperor commanded that the obstinate Secundus be beheaded, but secretly ordered that the execution be carried out only if a promise to forego his execution would bring him to speak. When Secundus remained resolute he was again led before the Emperor who demanded that he answer in writing. Secundus requested a tablet and answered the questions put before him with such satisfaction that the Emperor kept him at his court.
1Although depicted here as of French/Frankish descent, Secundus was actually Secondo of Asti of Italy and a patrician officer in the Roman army. Due to his later conversion to Christianity, which he refused to recant, and possible involvement in preserving holy relics, he was executed by the same Emperor Hadrian in AD 119/120 and was canonized.