Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Januarius The following provides fast and concise facts and information: - The patron of Naples and volcanic eruptions
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: September 19th
- Date of Death: Saint Januarius died in A.D. 305
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
Who or what is Saint Januarius the patron saint of? Saint Januarius is the patron of Naples and volcanic eruptions. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf. The Story and History of Saint Januarius The story and history of Saint Januarius. Saint Januarius was born in Naples a Roman province under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r.284-305). Emperor Diocletian mounted some of the fiercest persecutions of the early Christian Church. Saint Januarius, or San Gennaro, became the bishop of Benevento. Benevento being a province and town in Campania, 50 km northeast of Naples. Saint Januarius was imprisoned while visiting an incarcerated deacon called Proculus at the sulphur mines of Puteoli, near Solfatara. Pozzuoli is a city of the province of Napoli near Solfatara, a shallow volcanic crater. Saint Januarius was martyred with Proculus at Pozzuoli by first being first thrown to wild beasts in the arena and when the animals would not attack him he was beheaded. Death of Saint Januarius There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Januarius died in A.D. 305. Cause of Death: Beheaded. Why is Saint Januarius the patron of Naples and volcanic eruptions? Why is Saint Januarius is the patron of Naples and volcanic eruptions? Because of his life association with Naples and his martyrdom at Pozzuoli the city in the of the province of Napoli near Solfatara the area of a shallow volcanic crater. How Saint Januarius is represented in Christian Art It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Januarius in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Januarius is represented in Christian Art in episcopal robes, as Bishop of Benevento, and with Vesuvius in the background.
Feast Day of Saint Januarius The Feast Day of Saint Januarius is September 19th. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven. |