Januarius
Januarius, also known as Gennaro, was a Bishop of Benevento and a martyr of the Catholic Church. He is chiefly remembered as the patron saint of Naples, where the miraculous liquefaction of his blood is a significant devotional event.
- Feast Day
- September 19
- Century
- 4th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Januarius was bishop of Benevento and a martyr.
- ›Later sources claim he died during the Great Persecution ending in 305.
- ›He is the patron saint of Naples.
- ›The liquefaction of his blood is witnessed by the faithful in Naples Cathedral three times a year.
- ›The earliest historical reference to Januarius is from a 432 letter.
- ›His relics were moved multiple times before being reunited in Naples.
Gennaro, Januarius I of Benevento
Catholic Church, Eastern Church
Naples, Naples and Its Archdiocese
About Januarius
Saint Januarius (Gennaro)
Saint Januarius, known in Italian and Neapolitan as Gennaro, was a Bishop of Benevento and a martyr of the Catholic Church. While no contemporary sources detailing his life survive, later Christian sources and folk traditions suggest he died during the Great Persecution, which concluded around 305 AD with Emperor Diocletian's retirement. Januarius is particularly venerated as the principal patron saint of Naples, a city where his cult remains exceptionally strong.
Life and Legend
According to later hagiographies, Januarius was born into a wealthy patrician family in Benevento. He became a priest in his local parish at age 15 and later, at 20, was ordained Bishop of Naples. During Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, he reportedly hid fellow believers. However, he was eventually arrested, along with companions like Sossius, while visiting Sossius in jail. Legends recount that they were condemned to be thrown to wild bears in the Flavian Amphitheater at Pozzuoli, but this sentence was commuted to beheading, which occurred at the Solfatara crater near Pozzuoli. Other legends offer variations, such as wild beasts refusing to harm him or his surviving unscathed from a furnace.
Historical References and Relics
The earliest historical mention of Januarius dates to 432 AD in a letter by Uranius, bishop of Nola, who referred to Januarius as "bishop as well as martyr, an illustrious member of the Neapolitan church." Later texts, such as the Acta Bononensia (not earlier than the 6th century), list Januarius, his deacon Festus, lector Desiderius, and others as martyrs beheaded under Diocletian at Pozzuoli. His relics have a complex history of transfer. Initially interred in Neapolitan catacombs, his body was moved to Beneventum in the early 9th century, with his head remaining in Naples. During turmoil in the late 12th century, his body was moved again to the Territorial Abbey of Montevergine, where it was rediscovered in 1480. In 1497, under Cardinal Oliviero Carafa, the body was transferred back to Naples, where it was reunited with his head in a richly decorated crypt, the Succorpo, beneath the cathedral.
The Miracle of the Blood
Januarius is most renowned for the annual liquefaction of his blood, a phenomenon claimed to have been saved by a woman named Eusebia. While a 1382 chronicle of Naples details his cult, it does not mention the relic or the miracle. The first certain record of the blood liquefying dates to 1389. Over centuries, official reports documented the blood melting, initially once a year, then twice, and eventually three times annually. This event occurs in Naples Cathedral on September 19th (commemorating his martyrdom), December 16th (celebrating his patronage of Naples), and the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (commemorating the reunification of his relics). Thousands gather to witness this event, and its failure to liquefy is considered a bad omen, sometimes correlated with wars or pandemics. Scientific studies have explored various hypotheses for the phenomenon, including thixotropic gels, but the Church maintains a neutral stance and does not permit the vials to be opened for close analysis.
Legacy and Devotion
The Feast of San Gennaro is observed on September 19th. Naples considers him its principal patron saint, and his cult extends to communities worldwide, notably in New York's Little Italy. The Museum of the Treasure of St. Januarius houses a vast collection of artworks donated over seven centuries, reflecting the deep devotion and historical significance of the saint.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saint Januarius Bishop of Benevento?
Januarius served as Bishop of Benevento. While no contemporary sources on his life are preserved, later sources and legends suggest he died during the Great Persecution, which ended with Diocletian's retirement in 305. His earliest historical reference is from a letter dated 432.
Why is Saint Januarius famous?
Januarius is famous for the annual liquefaction of his blood, which is claimed to be a sample kept in a sealed ampoule. This event is witnessed by thousands of people in Naples Cathedral three times a year.
What is the significance of the blood liquefaction miracle?
The liquefaction of Januarius's blood is a central tenet of his devotion in Naples. When the blood fails to liquefy, it is considered a bad omen, and historical instances have been correlated with wars or pandemics.
Where are Saint Januarius's relics kept?
Januarius's relics were transferred several times and are now reunited in Naples. His body and head are housed in a richly decorated crypt called the Succorpo, beneath Naples Cathedral.
What are the scientific explanations for the blood liquefaction?
Various scientific hypotheses have been proposed, including that the vial contains a thixotropic gel, such as a suspension of hydrated iron oxide. Experiments have shown that old blood stored under similar conditions can change its solid-liquid phase by shaking, but the exact cause of the changes remains a subject of study.
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