Saint Athanasius of Naples

Memorial

• 15 July

Profile

Son of the Duke of Naples. Bishop of Naples at age 18. He restored the church of Saint Januarius that had been destroyed by Saracens, founded a hospice, and instituted a service for the ransom of captive Christians. Because he fought simony, he was imprisoned by his corrupt nephew Sergius, Duke of Naples; the clergy and lay people of Naples forced his release, but Athanasius was sent into permanent exile in Veroli, Italy. Confessor of the faith.

Born

• Naples, Italy

Died

• 872 at Veroli, Italy of natural causes
• buried at Monte Cassino
• relics later translated to Naples, Italy

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• New Catholic Dictionary
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson