Rufin z Kapui

Who they were

Rufus is venerated as a martyr of Capua, though almost nothing certain is known of his life; the Roman Martyrology records only that he was a martyr at Capua, without giving him the title of bishop. Later medieval tradition made him a Roman patrician from Ravenna, converted by Saint Apollinaris after the saint miraculously restored Rufus's daughter to life, who then moved to Capua and led its Christian community, eventually becoming honoured there as its third bishop.

Scholars regard this fuller legend, including his episcopate, as a later medieval elaboration rather than reliable history. His death is placed either on 12 August of the year 83 or, in another tradition followed here, on 25 August 423; his feast is kept on 27 August.

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

Martyr venerated since antiquity at Capua, later also honoured there as bishop by local medieval tradition; feast 27 August.