Saint Pardus
Encyclopedia
Saint Pardus is a Roman Catholic saint
associated with Larino
in Italy
. Larino Cathedral is dedicated to him.
(or possibly Myra
) who after being driven from his see took refuge in Rome. There is also some uncertainty in Pardus's chronology: he is usually connected with the 7th century, and the conventional year of his death is 650, but there is a strong tradition linking him to Pope Gregory II
(715-731).
After Pardus had sought refuge in Rome, the pope (whether Gregory II or another) offered him many possible bishoprics. Pardus however chose to retire to the region around Lucera
in Foggia
, where he intended to spend the rest of his life in prayer. This was not a random choice, as Lucera had formed part of the ancient Magna Grecia and many communities of Greek descent were established there.
On his way to Lucera however Pardus spent three years in Larino, the ancient Larinum, where he preached the Gospel
. The legend is that he was a little old man with a white beard, and was missing a thumb.
Once in Lucera, he helped build two churches, and then spent his last years in penitence and prayer until his death.
His feast day is 26 May, but in Larino the feast of San Pardo is celebrated over 3 days, 25-27 May.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
associated with Larino
Larino
Larino is a town and comune of approximately 8,200 inhabitants in Molise, province of Campobasso, southern Italy. It is located in the fertile valley of the Biferno River....
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Larino Cathedral is dedicated to him.
Life
There is some disagreement about the life of Saint Pardus. He is often described as the first bishop of Larino, but also as a bishop somewhere in the PeloponnesePeloponnese
The Peloponnese, Peloponnesos or Peloponnesus , is a large peninsula , located in a region of southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth...
(or possibly Myra
Myra
Myra is an ancient town in Lycia, where the small town of Kale is situated today in present day Antalya Province of Turkey. It was located on the river Myros , in the fertile alluvial plain between Alaca Dağ, the Massikytos range and the Aegean Sea.- Historical evidence :Although some scholars...
) who after being driven from his see took refuge in Rome. There is also some uncertainty in Pardus's chronology: he is usually connected with the 7th century, and the conventional year of his death is 650, but there is a strong tradition linking him to Pope Gregory II
Pope Gregory II
Pope Saint Gregory II was pope from May 19, 715 to his death on February 11, 731, succeeding Pope Constantine. Having, it is said, bought off the Lombards for thirty pounds of gold, Charles Martel having refused his call for aid, he used the tranquillity thus obtained for vigorous missionary...
(715-731).
After Pardus had sought refuge in Rome, the pope (whether Gregory II or another) offered him many possible bishoprics. Pardus however chose to retire to the region around Lucera
Lucera
Lucera is a town and comune in the Province of Foggia, in the Apulia region of southern Italy.-Ancient era and early Middle Ages :Lucera is an ancient city founded in Daunia, the centre of Dauni territory . Archeological excavations show the presence of a bronze age village inside the city boundaries...
in Foggia
Foggia
Foggia is a city and comune of Apulia, Italy, capital of the province of Foggia. Foggia is the main city of a plain called Tavoliere, also known as the "granary of Italy".-History:...
, where he intended to spend the rest of his life in prayer. This was not a random choice, as Lucera had formed part of the ancient Magna Grecia and many communities of Greek descent were established there.
On his way to Lucera however Pardus spent three years in Larino, the ancient Larinum, where he preached the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
. The legend is that he was a little old man with a white beard, and was missing a thumb.
Once in Lucera, he helped build two churches, and then spent his last years in penitence and prayer until his death.
His feast day is 26 May, but in Larino the feast of San Pardo is celebrated over 3 days, 25-27 May.