Euphrosinus

Who they were

Little certain is known of Bishop Eufrosino's life, origin or period, though his veneration became widespread. According to a 1578 account by the bishop of Fiesole, Francesco Diacceto, Eufrosino was a bishop from Pamphylia in Asia Minor who, returning from a pilgrimage to Rome, stopped at Panzano, a small village between Florence and Siena, where he preached the Gospel, worked conversions and miracles, and died at the age of 89; an oratory was later built over his tomb.

The source of this account is unknown and thought largely legendary, and no genuine biography of Eufrosino exists. The oratory at Panzano is documented from the twelfth century, and his veneration spread widely through the Chianti region; the Order of Malta founded a commandery in his honour, and his feast is still kept at Panzano twice a year, on 3 November and the first Sunday of May.

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

Legendary bishop-pilgrim honoured at Panzano in Chianti since the Middle Ages, with two annual feasts, 3 November and the first Sunday of May.