Fidelis of Como ( Italian : San Fedele ) (died c. 304 ) was an Italian soldier-saint , according to Christian tradition.
16-649: (Redirected from St Fidelis ) Saint Fidelis may refer to: Fidelis of Como (San Fedele) (died ca. 304 AD), Italian soldier-saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622), Capuchin friar martyred in the Counter-Reformation Basilica of St. Fidelis , the Cathedral of the Plains Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with
32-461: A boat across the lake to Samolaco . All were eventually caught and beheaded. The second says that Fidelis was an army officer who was guarding Christian prisoners at Milan, including Alexander of Bergamo . He managed to procure the freedom of five of these prisoners. With Carpophorus and Exanthus, he and these five attempted to make their way to the Alps, but were executed at Como. More likely, he
48-550: A simple misreading for the names of two actual saints Legend holds that the associated pair of martyrs, Carpophorus and Fidelis, were members of the Theban Legion , whose relics were transferred to Arona during a time of war between Milan and Como . Both Como and Arona claim the relics of Fidelis. The martyrdom of Fidelis is considered to have occurred on the north side of Lake Como , near Samolaco . His relics are considered to have been carried to Como in 964. In Arona,
64-465: A time of war between Milan and Como . In Arona, the presence of the relics of Fidelis and Carpophrous is attested in documents dating back to 1259 and 1321. In 1576, Charles Borromeo transferred to Milan relics of Carpophorus and Fidelis. Though until then their veneration in Arona was minimal, Borromeo's proposed transfer angered the people of the city. As a compromise, Borromeo brought back to Arona
80-403: Is associated with Carpophorus and Exanthus , two soldier-saints . Variations on their legend are applied to Fidelis. The first says that he, with Carpophorus and Exanthus, were Roman soldiers, members of the legendary Theban Legion , who deserted during the persecution of Christians by Maximian . The three split up at Como, with Carpophorus and Exanthus going into hiding, while Fidelis took
96-665: Is celebrated on the shores of Lago Maggiore . Baronius inserted the names of Felinus and Gratian names into the Roman Martyrology , quoting as his authority the Acts preserved at Perugia . Sabine Baring-Gould writes, however, that "the so-called Acts of SS. Gratian and Felinus , used as lections in the Arona Passionale , are extracted from the Acts of SS. Florentinus and Companions, martyrs at Perugia commemorated
112-623: The Count of Seprio, Amitto (Amizzone), captain of Otto I , transferred Felinus' and Gratian's relics , with the permission of the bishop, to Arona, and built a monastery dedicated to them. Amitto's foundation has been interpreted as a form of penance, since his soldiers had set fire to the portico of the basilica of Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls . Charles Borromeo became abbot commendatario of San Felino e San Graziano abbey in Arona on 20 November 1547. In 1576, Borromeo transferred
128-537: The church of San Fedele to Pellegrino Tibaldi (1559). Felinus and Gratian Saints Felinus and Gratian(us) (sometimes Gratinian(us) ) (d. 250 AD) are venerated as martyrs by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. They are patron saints of Arona , near Milan , where their relics were enshrined. The city of Arona celebrates two groups of martyrs on 13 March: Felinus and Gratian, as well as Carpophorus and Fidelis . The festival of Tredicino
144-631: The interests of Perugia. The oldest document concerning Felinus and Gratian dates from the tenth century. The manuscript is made up of 249 sheets in parchment and is written in Gothic script and in medieval Latin . According to the text, Felinus and Gratian were two soldiers of Perugia , who were converted to Christianity by the bishop of the city. During the persecution of Decius , they were martyred for their faith. Felinus and Gratian have been identified as being identical to two other martyrs: Gratilianus and Felicissima, with "Felinus and Gratian" being
160-447: The popularity of his cult. Como's claim is based on an account of 964 that describes the translation of Fidelis' relics from the spot where he was killed to Como in that year. Sometime before 1000, the church of Sanfedelino, which was dedicated to him, was built on the site of a much earlier simple chapel , from around the fourth century, previously dedicated to Saint Euphemia . Relics are said to have been transferred to Arona during
176-529: The presence of the relics of Fidelis and Carpophrous is attested in documents dating back to 1259 and 1321. Goffredo da Bussero (1220–1289 ca.), discussing a group of martyrs of the Theban Legion killed in Lombard territory, states: sed horum duo corpora ad monasterium de Arona dati sunt . This group has been identified as Carpophorus, Exanthus, Cassius, Severinus, Secundus, and Licinius . In 979,
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#1732786830480192-482: The relics of Carpophorus and Fidelisto to Milan. Even though their veneration in Arona had been minimal, Borromeo's proposed transfer angered the people of the city. On 13 March as a compromise, Borromeo brought the two left forearms of the saints back to Arona. The city council, which had been pressured by the populace to bring back the relics, decreed that an annual festival should occur on that day. The day has increased in importance in succeeding centuries. The purpose of
208-428: The same day. But these Acts are in their turn not genuine; they are, in fact, the Acts of SS. Secundianus and Comp. (Aug. 9th)." The cult of Gratian and Felinus, therefore, rests on a shaky historical foundation. The garbling of lives and cults may have been purposeful, consisting of a mere alteration of the names of persons and places so as to make the Acts of Secundianus serve for Felinus and Gratian, and thus in
224-516: The title Saint Fidelis . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Fidelis&oldid=941569589 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Title and name disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Fidelis of Como Fidelis' cult
240-463: The two left forearms of the saints. This occurred on March 13. The city council, which had been pressured by the populace to bring back the relics, decreed that an annual festival occur on that day, which in succeeding centuries has increased in importance. The purpose of the festival was extended to include the celebration for the martyrs Felinus and Gratian , thereby uniting their cult to that of Carpophorus and Fidelis. At Milan, Borromeo commissioned
256-400: Was a Christian missionary sent by Maternus (bishop of Milan) to convert the still pagan area around Lake Como, and there met his death. The cult of Fidelis at Como is ancient. Milan, Como, and Arona claim the relics of Fidelis. Magnus Felix Ennodius describes, in the early sixth century, a tomb at Como containing the relics of the martyr. Reports of miracles at the tomb fomented
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