Saint Archelaus

Who they were

Archelaus, a Sardinian of noble birth, was a priest converted to the Christian faith, according to tradition, by a Bishop Melito of Cagliari, and preached the Gospel with great zeal around Oristano, converting many away from idolatry. His preaching provoked the authorities, and he was arrested and martyred by stoning at Fordongianus.

His tomb was rediscovered in 1615 at Fordongianus, near the church of San Lussorio, marked with an inscription giving his death in the year 100; the skull, found bound together with cloth and containing stones stained as if with blood, suggested his head had been shattered in the martyrdom. His relics were later moved to the cathedral of Oristano, where he is venerated as principal patron.

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

Sardinian priest and martyr, stoned to death at Fordongianus for preaching the Gospel; patron of the archdiocese of Oristano, feast 13 February.