Nestorius, bishop of Side

Nestorius (1), St. (Nestor), the first known bp. of Side in Pamphylia Prima (Le Quien, i. 997), a martyr in the Decian persecution, a.d. 250. He was arrested by the local Irenarch, required to sacrifice, and on refusing dispatched in charge of two lictors to the court 753of the president Pollio, who tortured and then crucified him. The martyr's answer to the president's queries sufficiently indicate his theological position. Pollio said to him, "Are you willing to take part with us or with Christ?" To which Nestor replied, "Cum Christo meo et eram, et sum, et ero"; to which the president replied that as he was devoted to Jesus Who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he should be crucified like his God. The Acts say his martyrdom was on the 5th day of the week at the third hour, Le Blant (Actes des Martyrs, p. 46) points out the accuracy of the details.

[G.J.S.]