Octavian of Volterra

Who they were

Octavian came from North Africa in the 6th century, together with his companions Justus and Clement, fleeing anti-Christian persecution. While Justus was made bishop of Volterra, Octavian withdrew into the forest beyond the river Era to live as a hermit, eating only herbs and water and praying continually in the hollow of an old elm tree.

According to tradition his body was later found, still seemingly at prayer, by a young hunter whose hawk had landed on the elm. He was buried at the foot of the tree and later honoured with a chapel; his relics now rest in Volterra Cathedral, and he was made secondary patron of the city in 1761, invoked especially during plagues.

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

Hermit who fled North Africa with Saints Justus and Clement and settled in the forest near Volterra; feast 2 September.