Saints Vitalis and Agricola
Encyclopedia
Saints Vitalis and Agricola are venerated as martyr
s, who are considered to have died at Bologna
about 304
, during the persecution ordered by Roman Emperor
Diocletian
.
; they became deeply attached to each other. Vitalis was first to suffer martyrdom, being executed in the amphitheatre
. The authorities then tortured Agricola, but failed to make him give up his religion. He was finally crucified
.
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Information about Vitalis and Agricola is based on the writings of Saint Ambrose. In 392
or 393
, Eusebius, bishop of Bologna, had announced the discovery of the relics of Vitalis and Agricola in a Jewish cemetery in the city. He reburied the relics according to Christian rites, an event at which Ambrose attended. The reburial led to popular veneration of these saints.
The cult of these two martyrs was diffused in Western Europe due to the efforts of Ambrose, who transferred some of the relics to Milan and gave some to Florence. He took some of the blood, parts of the cross, and the nails to Florence
, placing these relics in the church erected by a woman named Juliana. On this occasion he delivered an oration in praise of virginity
, with special reference to the three virgin daughters of Juliana. His mention of the martyrs Agricola and Vitalis in the first part of the oration is the only source of information on their the martyrs' lives ("De exhortatione virginitatis", cc. i-u, in P.L., XVI, 335).
In 396 other relics were sent to St. Victricus, Bishop of Rouen, and about the same date to St. Paulinus of Nola and others. The cult had as its center the city of Bologna, where a basilica was built to hold the relics.
The Bolognese church of San Vitale ed Agricola in Arena, part of the complex of 7 churches known as Santo Stefano
, is purported to have been built over the remains of a Roman amphitheatre
where the martyrdom of Vitalis and Agricola took place in the 4th century. The crypt of the two martyrs dates back to the 11th century.
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s, who are considered to have died at Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
about 304
304
Year 304 was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Valerius and Valerius...
, during the persecution ordered by Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Diocletian
Diocletian
Diocletian |latinized]] upon his accession to Diocletian . c. 22 December 244 – 3 December 311), was a Roman Emperor from 284 to 305....
.
Legend
Agricola was a Christian citizen of Bologna who converted his slave, Vitalis, to ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
; they became deeply attached to each other. Vitalis was first to suffer martyrdom, being executed in the amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
. The authorities then tortured Agricola, but failed to make him give up his religion. He was finally crucified
Crucifixion
Crucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead...
.
Veneration
392
Year 392 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Rufinus...
or 393
393
Year 393 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Augustus and Augustus...
, Eusebius, bishop of Bologna, had announced the discovery of the relics of Vitalis and Agricola in a Jewish cemetery in the city. He reburied the relics according to Christian rites, an event at which Ambrose attended. The reburial led to popular veneration of these saints.
The cult of these two martyrs was diffused in Western Europe due to the efforts of Ambrose, who transferred some of the relics to Milan and gave some to Florence. He took some of the blood, parts of the cross, and the nails to Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, placing these relics in the church erected by a woman named Juliana. On this occasion he delivered an oration in praise of virginity
Virginity
Virginity refers to the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions which place special value and significance on this state, especially in the case of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor and worth...
, with special reference to the three virgin daughters of Juliana. His mention of the martyrs Agricola and Vitalis in the first part of the oration is the only source of information on their the martyrs' lives ("De exhortatione virginitatis", cc. i-u, in P.L., XVI, 335).
In 396 other relics were sent to St. Victricus, Bishop of Rouen, and about the same date to St. Paulinus of Nola and others. The cult had as its center the city of Bologna, where a basilica was built to hold the relics.
The Bolognese church of San Vitale ed Agricola in Arena, part of the complex of 7 churches known as Santo Stefano
Santo Stefano (Bologna)
Santo Stefano's Basilica is a complex of religious edifices in the city of Bologna, Italy. Located in the eponymous square, it is locally known as Sette Chiese ....
, is purported to have been built over the remains of a Roman amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
where the martyrdom of Vitalis and Agricola took place in the 4th century. The crypt of the two martyrs dates back to the 11th century.