Saint Januarius

Life story

Januarius (Gennaro) was bishop of Benevento and a martyr, venerated in the Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian churches. No contemporary sources survive about him. The details of his martyrdom are therefore largely legendary.

By tradition, in the persecution of Diocletian he was arrested with companions and beheaded at Pozzuoli around 305. The Catholic Encyclopedia names his deacon Proculus and two laymen. Legend adds that they were first thrown to wild beasts that would not attack them, and were then beheaded; this is legend, not historical record.

His body was brought to Naples, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia under Bishop Severus in 367, then to Benevento and Montevergine before returning to Naples in 1497. It now rests in the Succorpo crypt beneath Naples Cathedral. The cathedral also keeps a glass vial said to contain his blood.

The blood is reported to liquefy, first certainly recorded in 1389, usually on 19 September, 16 December and the Saturday before the first Sunday in May. The Church has made no official statement on the phenomenon. His feast is 19 September, and he is honoured as one of the patron saints of Naples.

Works and witness

• Bishop of Benevento; by tradition beheaded at Pozzuoli around 305
• His body was brought to Naples and returned there in 1497
• Liquefaction of his blood is recorded from 1389
• Feast on 19 September

Patron of

Naples

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent), St. Januarius; Benevento; Naples (newadvent.org/cathen/08295a.htm)
• Britannica, Saint Januarius
• Franciscan Media, Saint Januarius (franciscanmedia.org)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.