From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saint Venerius
(
(in Italian)
San Venerio
) (ca. 560–630) was a
monk
and
hermit
. He is venerated as a saint by the
Catholic Church
and is the
patron saint
of the Gulf of
La Spezia
and, as of 1961, the patron saint of
lighthouse
keepers.
Life
[
edit
]
Venerius was a hermit in a
monastery
situated on the island of
Tino
in the
Ligurian Sea
. Later he served as
abbot
until his death in 630.
[1]
It is thought that a sanctuary was constructed at the place of Venerius' death to contain his
relics
and that this was extended to form a
monastery
in eleventh century. The remains of the monastery can be seen on the northern coast of the island.
The
relics
of the saint seem to have resided in
Luni
, but due to attacks by
Vikings
and
Moors
, the bishopric transferred its seat to
Sarzana
. The relics of Venerius were sent, however, to
Reggio Emilia
, where they were placed side-by-side with those of Saint
Prosper of Reggio
(San Prospero) and those of
Cosmas and Damian
. They were later translated to Tino, now within the
diocese of La Spezia
, in a solemn ceremony.
The island of Tino has restricted access as part of a military zone. However, an exception is made on 13 September, the Feast of Saint Venerius. On that day, a statue of Venerius is carried out to the sea from La Spezia to the island, accompanied by a
blessing
by the bishop of all of the boats in the Gulf of La Spezia.
[1]
See also
[
edit
]
Notes
[
edit
]
- ^
No reliable account exists of Venerius' life. Some scholars place it in the ninth century.
External links
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]
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