Gregory of Spoleto
Encyclopedia
Saint Gregory of Spoleto was a priest and martyr of the city of Spoleto
, Italy. After a lengthy period of torture, he was beheaded under the order of Diocletian
on December 24, 304. According to pious tradition, after his death his remains were to be fed to the wild animals kept for public games. However, a Christian woman (whose name is not known) bought them back for a considerable sum of money and had them properly prepared for burial. At the request of the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I, Gregory's body was sent to Cologne, Germany with the relics of Saints Felix and Nabor. In 993, some of Gregory's relics were transferred to the cathedral in Trier
, France by the bishop, Egbert.
His feast day is listed in the Roman Martyrology
as December 24, but he is also commemorated on other days in different locations. For example, his feast is kept on December 23 in Cologne, December 22 in Spoleto, and January 2 in Trier.
Spoleto
Spoleto is an ancient city in the Italian province of Perugia in east central Umbria on a foothill of the Apennines. It is S. of Trevi, N. of Terni, SE of Perugia; SE of Florence; and N of Rome.-History:...
, Italy. After a lengthy period of torture, he was beheaded under the order of Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
on December 24, 304. According to pious tradition, after his death his remains were to be fed to the wild animals kept for public games. However, a Christian woman (whose name is not known) bought them back for a considerable sum of money and had them properly prepared for burial. At the request of the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I, Gregory's body was sent to Cologne, Germany with the relics of Saints Felix and Nabor. In 993, some of Gregory's relics were transferred to the cathedral in Trier
Trier
Trier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
, France by the bishop, Egbert.
His feast day is listed in the Roman Martyrology
Martyrology
A martyrology is a catalogue or list of martyrs , arranged in the calendar order of their anniversaries or feasts. Local martyrologies record exclusively the custom of a particular Church. Local lists were enriched by names borrowed from neighbouring churches...
as December 24, but he is also commemorated on other days in different locations. For example, his feast is kept on December 23 in Cologne, December 22 in Spoleto, and January 2 in Trier.