Gaudentius of Rimini
Saint Gaudentius of Rimini (Also known as Saint Gaudentius of Ephesus; Italian: San Gaudenzio di Rimini; fl. 308–October 14, 360) was a bishop of Rimini.
Saint Gaudentius of Rimini | |
|---|---|
 Sarcophagus of San Gaudenzio (Saint Gaudentius) | |
| Born | Ephesus |
| Died | October 14th, 360 Rimini |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | October 14 |
| Patronage | Rimini |
Life
Born in Ephesus in Asia Minor, in 308, he migrated to Rome and was baptized. In 332 he was ordained as a priest and fourteen years later consecrated as a bishop. He was then sent to Ariminum (modern Rimini, Italy) where he became the bishop of that city. In 359, he attended the Council of Rimini called by the Roman Emperor Constantius II, specially convened to resolve the Arian controversy.[1]
After he excommunicated the priest Marcianus, he was arrested by the emperor's representative and then kidnapped from the authorities and lynched by the followers of Arius. He is honored as a martyr by the Catholic Church.[2]
Gaudentius was buried in the place of his martyrdom outside the Porta Romana - the Arch of Augustus -, called Lacus Martyrum - hence the current street Lagomaggio. A relic of his skull is kept in a silver reliquary donated by Pope Pius IX to Rimini Cathedral in 1857.[1]
San Gaudenzio, whose cult is very ancient, is the patron saint of Rimini and celebrated on 14 October.[2] Gaudentius' veneration is attested only since the 7th century. Later legends connect him with Saint Geminianus of Modena.[1]