St Januarius was a 3rd-century Bishop of Benevento, Italy. He died as a martyr in 305 AD in Pozzuoli, Campania during the Diocletian’s persecutions of Christians.
We celebrate his feast day on September 19 every year in the Catholic Church.
St Januarius is the Patron Saint of Blood banks, Naples, Catholic Archdiocese of Naples, Volcanic eruptions, Tilbury.
| Saint Januarius Biography | |
|---|---|
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| Date of Birth | 3rd-century |
| Place of Birth | Benevento or Naples, Italy |
| Profession | Bishop of Benevento, Italy |
| Place of Work | Benevento Italy |
| Date of Death | 305 AD |
| Place of Death | Pozzuoli, Campania Italy |
| St. Januarius Feast Day | September 19 |
| Canonization | Pre-Congregation |
| Patron Saint of |
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St Januarius, Bishop and Martyr Life History
Saint Januarius hailed from a rich patrician family. He became a priest and later the Bishop of Benevento. As he went about his duties he met Deacon Sossius who impressed him so much with his singing and befriended him.
When Emperor Diocletian started the Christian persecutions Deacon Sossius was arrested and put in prison. Bishop Januarius visited him there and unfortunately, he was also arrested.
Later, Bishop Januarius, Deacon Sossius, and several other Christians were sentenced to be thrown to wild bears in the Flavian Amphitheater at Pozzuoli but the bears failed to devour them. The sentence was changed to beheading.
After beheading, Saint Januarius’s blood was collected and taken to Naples where it is now preserved in two glass vials as a relic in the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Naples.
Saint Januarius Feast Day
The Feast of San Gennaro is celebrated on September 19 every year in the Catholic Church.
Relics
Saint Januarius’ body remains are preserved in the crypt beneath the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Naples. His blood is also preserved there in two glass vials.
Saint Januarius Blood Melting
Saint Januarius that was preserved usually miraculously melts three times per year: on September 19 (the day of his martyrdom), on December 16 (during the celebration of his patronage of Naples and the archdiocese of Naples), and on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (when his skull was reunited with the rest of the body).
St Januarius is the Patron Saint of
- Blood banks
- Naples
- Catholic Archdiocese of Naples
- Volcanic eruptions
- Tilbury
Major Shrines
- The Naples Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. (known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro)
- The Church of the Most Precious Blood is the National Shrine Church of San Gennaro in Little Italy, Manhattan, New York City.
St. Januarius Feast Day Quote
Thank God Who has given you superabundant motives for your faith; and pray for the spirit of the first Christians, the spirit which exults and rejoices in belief
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