Constantius (Theban Legion)
Saint Constantius and Companions | |
|---|---|
Oriental Orthodoxy | |
| Major shrine | Villar San Costanzo |
| Feast | September 18 |
| Attributes | depicted as a soldier bearing a banner with the Mauritian Cross and the palm of martyrdom; spade |
| Patronage | Villar San Costanzo; diocese of Saluzzo (with Chiaffredo) |
Constantius (
Tegulus at Ivrea, Magnus at Castelmagno, and Dalmatius at Borgo San Dalmazzo, the cult of Constantius was linked with that of the Theban Legion to lend antiquity to a local saint about whom nothing was really known.[2]
According to tradition, Constantius survived the
decimation of his Legion and fled to the Val Maira, today in the province of Cuneo, with some other survivors.[1] These included Constantine, Dalmatius, Desiderius, Isidore, Magnus, Olympius, Pontius, Theodore, and Victor.[1] They dedicated themselves to preaching the Christian religion, but all of them, except for Constantius, were soon killed by the Roman authorities.[1] Constantius buried his companions.[1]
The local geologic formation known as Ciciu del Villar, which are columns formed by natural erosion, was connected with Constantius' legend: the stones are said to be the Roman soldiers sent to kill him, who were miraculously petrified before they could harm the saint.[1]
According to tradition, Constantius was eventually
Benedictine abbatial church of Santi Vittore e Costanzo, also in Villar, conserves some important archaeological remains, including a marble slab bearing vermilion symbols and worn down by the hands of the faithful.[1]
Constantius' cult became popular, with a pilgrimage to Villar by the faithful taking place every year.[1]
Tornabuoni,
Coptic Church.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Arduino, Fabio (October 27, 2005). "San Costanzo e compagni". Santi e Beati. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
- ^ Pomi, Damiano (July 16, 2004). "San Magno". Santi e Beati. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
- ^ "San Chiaffredo di Saluzzo su santiebeati.it". Santiebeati.it. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
External links
- (in Italian) San Costanzo