Paragorio da Noli

Who they were

Tradition remembers Paragorio as the leader of the local Christian community of Noli, on the Ligurian coast, who together with other believers faced martyrdom during the Roman persecutions of Christians, probably in the 3rd or 4th century, perhaps under Decius (250-251) or Valerian (257-260). It is not certain whether he was a bishop, priest, or committed layman, but tradition and the importance of his veneration suggest he was a leading figure of the community.

Paragorio was not alone: tradition recalls a group of companion martyrs, though their names and exact number have not survived. After the martyrdom the surviving Christians buried Paragorio and his companions at a site that at once became a place of pilgrimage, and around which the veneration and later the basilica of Noli developed; the veneration is attested 'from time immemorial', with no documented starting date. His memory is bound up with the Romanesque basilica at Noli that holds his remains, one of Liguria's most important examples of that architecture.

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

Leader of the Christian community of Noli, martyred with companions in the Roman persecutions, probably 3rd-4th century; feast 7 September.