Eleuterio di Parenzo

Who they were

The sources about him, later than the fifth century and legendary in character, tell the story of an Eleutherius of Greek origin, son of Anthia, a priest consecrated bishop of Illyricum by a certain Anicetus; according to these texts, both were martyred under the emperor Hadrian after being arrested and taken to Rome. Scholarship, however, clearly distinguishes this Eleutherius from the one venerated at Parenzo, whom local tradition identifies as a bishop of that city.

His remains were united in 1247 with those of Saint Maurus, another bishop venerated at Parenzo. Two cemetery chapels were dedicated to him: the first, destroyed around 1412, and the second, built in 1488 by Bishop Gianantonio Pavaro. An unfounded legend says that knee-prints on a rock by the seashore at Parenzo belong to the saint. He is not to be confused with the Saint Eleutherius, bishop of Illyricum, who is also remembered on 18 April.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

Bishop venerated locally at Parenzo, distinct from the martyr Eleutherius of Illyricum who shares his 18 April feast; his relics were joined with those of Saint Maurus in 1247.