Proculus of Pozzuoli
Saint Proculus of Pozzuoli was a Christian martyr executed around 305 AD during the Diocletianic Persecution. He is remembered for his martyrdom alongside Saint Januarius and other companions, and for the traditions surrounding their defiance of unjust sentencing.
- Feast Day
- November 16
- Century
- 4th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Proculus of Pozzuoli was martyred around 305 AD during the Diocletianic Persecution.
- ›He was martyred with Saints Januarius, Sossius, Festus, Desiderius, Acutius, and Eutyches.
- ›According to legend, Proculus and his companions protested the sentence of beheading and were decapitated themselves.
- ›His relics were initially buried in a temple that became the cathedral of Pozzuoli.
- ›His feast day was formerly celebrated on September 19, the same day as Saint Januarius, and also on October 18 and November 16.
- ›He is affectionately nicknamed 'o pisciasotto ('the pants-pisser') due to rain often occurring on his November 16 feast day.
Proclus, San Procolo
About Proculus of Pozzuoli
Saint Proculus, also known as Proclus or San Procolo in Italian, is a Christian martyr venerated for his martyrdom around 305 AD during the Diocletianic Persecution. Christian tradition places his martyrdom at the same time as Saint Januarius, the bishop of Benevento. Proculus is primarily remembered as one of a group of seven martyrs from the Pozzuoli region.
Companions in Martyrdom
Proculus faced his martyrdom alongside several other individuals. These included Saint Januarius, Sossius (a deacon of Miseno), Festus and Desiderius (lectors), Acutius, and Eutyches. These seven martyrs are historically linked, with their lives and deaths documented in early Christian writings such as the Atti Puteolani and the Acta s. Proculi.
Legend and Execution
The legend surrounding their martyrdom, particularly as conserved in the Atti Bolognesi, describes Januarius escaping to Pozzuoli and maintaining contact with local Christians. When Sossius was arrested and condemned to be killed by wild bears, Januarius, Festus, and Desiderius visited him in prison. Subsequently discovered to be Christians themselves, they were all thrown to the wild beasts. According to the account, the animals showed no aggression towards the saints. As a final sentence, they were condemned to beheaded. Proculus, along with Eutyches and Acutius, protested the sentence while the others were being led to execution, resulting in their decapitation with the rest of the group near the Solfatara volcano on September 19, 305 AD.
Veneration and Relics
The relics of Proculus were initially interred in the Calpurnian temple in Pozzuoli, which later became the city's cathedral. The relics of his companions were dispersed, with Festus and Desiderius buried outside Benevento, Sossius in Miseno, and Eutyches and Acutius initially near the Paleochristian basilica of Santo Stefano in Puzzuoli before being moved to Naples Cathedral. While some accounts suggest bodies were transported to Reichenau Island in 871, later inspections in 1964 determined these bones to be fake.
Feast Days
Saint Proculus is commemorated on multiple feast days. Historically, September 19 was observed for the entire group, the same day as Saint Januarius. Individual celebrations included September 7 for Festus and Desiderius, September 23 for Sossius, and October 18 for Proculus, Eutyches, and Acutius. The official feast day for Saint Proculus in Pozzuoli is November 16, a date sometimes associated with rain, leading to an affectionate nickname, 'o pisciasotto ("the pants-pisser"). The townspeople also celebrate his feast on the second Sunday in May.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Saint Proculus of Pozzuoli martyred?
Saint Proculus of Pozzuoli was martyred around 305 AD, according to Christian tradition. This occurred during the Diocletianic Persecution.
Who was Saint Proculus martyred with?
He was martyred along with Saint Januarius and several other companions. These included Sossius, Festus, Desiderius, Acutius, and Eutyches.
What is the legend surrounding Saint Proculus' martyrdom?
The legend states that Proculus and others protested the death sentence of their companions and were subsequently beheaded themselves. One account mentions that wild beasts refused to harm the saints when thrown to them.
When is the feast day of Saint Proculus?
Saint Proculus has had several feast days. Anciently, he was celebrated on September 19 with the other martyrs, and also on October 18. November 16 is noted as his official feast day in Pozzuoli, and townspeople also celebrate on the second Sunday in May.
What is Saint Proculus affectionately nicknamed?
Saint Proculus is affectionately nicknamed 'o pisciasotto, which translates to 'the pants-pisser'. This nickname is attributed to the fact that November 16, his feast day, was often a rainy day.
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