Marcianus of Frigento

Who they were

According to the legendary and historically unreliable Acts of Saint Marcian, he was of Greek origin and wealthy family. After giving away his goods to the poor, orphans and widows, he took up an ascetic life, and to avoid honour he left Greece for Italy, settling as a hermit at Frigento, where tradition credits him with several miracles. He is said to have gone to Rome and been consecrated bishop of Frigento by Pope Leo I.

Modern historians note real problems with this account -- Frigento was not an episcopal see in the 5th century, becoming one only in the 11th, and some identify Marcian with a different bishop, Mark of Aeca, from the 3rd-4th century. His relics, venerated at Frigento, were moved in 839 to the abbey of Santa Sofia in Benevento; his veneration is still alive today at Frigento and also at Taurasi, where he is honoured as patron. His feast is kept on 14 July.

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 Greek-born hermit bishop of Frigento, 5th century; his relics were later moved to Benevento; feast 14 July.