General presentation of Saint Expédit
Saint Expédit, sometimes called Expeditus, is a Christian martyr from the early 4th century, venerated for his ability to intervene quickly in desperate and urgent situations. According to tradition, he was a Roman soldier in Armenia who converted to Christianity. Refusing to renounce his faith, he was beheaded in 303 under Emperor Diocletian. He is especially venerated in La Réunion, South America, and Sicily, where oratories are dedicated to him to obtain his intercession in pressing and difficult matters.
Correspondence table of Saint Expédit
| Role | Apostle of the Gentiles, author of many letters in the New Testament |
| Patronage | Missionaries, writers |
| Feast | June 29 |
Symbols and appearances of Saint Expédit
Saint Expédit is generally depicted as a Roman soldier, dressed in armor and holding a cross in his hand with the inscription "Hodie" (today), while a crow at his feet cries "Cras" (tomorrow), illustrating his role as a defender of promptness and immediate decision. The palm of martyrdom, symbolizing his sacrifice, is also often present in depictions.
Myths of Saint Expédit
One of the most popular stories tells that, on the verge of converting, the devil, in the form of a crow, told him to postpone his conversion until the next day ("Cras"). Expédit refused this temptation by crushing the crow and proclaiming "Hodie" (today), deciding not to put off until tomorrow what he could do immediately. His cult is closely associated with the idea of quick decisions and miraculous interventions in desperate situations.
