Saint Donatus of Arezzo | |
|---|---|
 The Miracle of Saint Donatus by Jusepe de Ribera, Musée de Picardie. | |
| Bishop and martyr | |
| Born | Nicomedia (modern-day İzmit, Kocaeli, Turkey) |
| Died | ~August 7, 362? Arezzo (modern-day Italy) |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Major shrine | Arezzo; Murano |
| Feast | August 7 (Catholicism) July 4 (Orthodoxy) |
| Attributes | episcopal dress; Communion chalice; sword; fighting a dragon[1] |
| Patronage | Arezzo; epileptics; bakers;[2] Contursi Terme, Acerno, Anzi, Bomba, Castel di Ieri, Castel del Monte, Fossacesia, Guardiagrele, Pinerolo, Pontelandolfo, Ranzo, San Donato di Lecce, Montesano Salentino, San Donato di Ninea, San Donato Milanese, San Donato Val di Comino, Soveria Simeri, Val della Torre, Villa Martelli, Monteforte Cilento (Salerno) |
Saint Donatus of Arezzo (Italian: San Donato di Arezzo) is the patron saint of Arezzo, and considered a bishop of the city.[1]
A Passio of Donatus' life was written by a bishop of Arezzo, Severinus; it is of questionable historicity.[1] He calls Donatus a martyr, though Donatus is described as a bishop and confessor of the faith in ancient sources rather than as a martyr.[1] An early hagiography of Donatus was already known to Gregory the Great.[2]
According to tradition, Donatus was martyred on August 7, 362 during the reign of Julian the Apostate and was a native of Nicomedia.[1]
- ^ a b c d e Borrelli, Antonio (March 21, 2002). "San Donato di Arezzo". Santie Beati. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
- ^ a b "Donatus von Arezzo". Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon. n.d. Retrieved August 22, 2008.