Septimius of Iesi
Septimius of Iesi | |
|---|---|
Fresco of St. Septimius, by Biagio Bigatti, 1937, in Iesi Cathedral | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | Germania |
| Died | 307 AD |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Iesi |
| Feast | September 22 |
| Attributes | Episcopal attire |
| Patronage | Iesi |
Saint Septimius of Iesi (Italian: Settimio di Jesi) (d. 307) was the first Bishop of Iesi, a martyr, and a saint.
Septimius was born in what is now Germany, and after an education in the liberal arts, began a military career. After he converted to Christianity, he parted with his family, who did not convert, and went to Italy where he worked as a minister in Milan. He was forced out of Milan during the Diocletianic Persecution in 303. He later made his way to Rome, where the miracles he performed impressed Pope Marcellus I so much that he ordained Septimius as Bishop of Iesi.
Septimius established Iesi Cathedral. A local magistrate, Florentius, opposed the dedication of the cathedral after Septimius refused to make a sacrifice to the pagan gods. Florentius subsequently ordered Septimius to be decapitated.
The body of Septimius was exhumed in 1469, although the cult of Septimius dated from much earlier. A new altar was consecrated to the saint at the cathedral in 1623.
Septimius is the patron saint of Iesi. His feast day was on September 5 until 1623, when it was changed to September 22.