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{{Short description|Roman Catholic Saint}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox saint
{{Infobox saint
|name= Saint Orontius
|name= Saint Orontius
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|death_date=
|death_date=
|feast_day= August 26
|feast_day= August 26
|venerated_in= [[Roman Catholic Church]]
|venerated_in= [[Catholic Church]]
|image= Saint oronzo.jpg
|image= Saint oronzo.jpg
|imagesize= 250px
|imagesize= 240px
|caption=
|caption=
|birth_place=
|birth_place=
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|canonized_place=
|canonized_place=
|canonized_by=
|canonized_by=
|attributes= episcopal attire; smashed pagan idols at his feet.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio">[http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90471 Sant' Oronzo (Oronzio)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|attributes= Episcopal attire; smashes pagan idols at his feet<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio">[http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90471 Borrelli, Antonio. "Sant' Oronzo (Oronzio)", Santi e Beati, March 21, 2002]</ref>
|patronage= Lecce (city and province); Ostuni; [[Turi (Italy)|Turi]]
|patronage= [[Lecce]] (city and [[province of Lecce|province]]); [[Ostuni]]; [[Turi (Italy)|Turi]]
|major_shrine=
|major_shrine=
|suppressed_date=
|suppressed_date=
|issues=
|issues=
}}
}}
'''Saint Orontius of Lecce''' ({{lang-it|Sant'Oronzo, Oronzio, Aronzo}}) is venerated as a [[saint]] by the [[Roman Catholic Church]], along with two other figures associated with his legend, '''Fortunatus''' and '''Justus'''. He is called the first [[bishop]] of [[Lecce]].
'''Saint Orontius of Lecce''' ({{langx|it|Sant'Oronzo}}, sometimes {{lang|it|Oronzio}} or {{lang|it|Aronzo}}; [[Salentino dialect|Leccese]]: {{lang|nap|Santu Ronzu}}) is venerated as a [[saint]] by the [[Catholic Church]], along with two other figures associated with his legend, '''Fortunatus''' and '''Justus'''. He is viewed as the first [[bishop of Lecce]].<ref name=holweck>[https://books.google.com/books?id=LP4UAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA759&dq=Orontius+of+Lecce&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_853n28iIAxX3FVkFHSz-A5sQ6AF6BAgNEAI#v=onepage&q=Orontius%20of%20Lecce&f=false Holweck, F.G., ''A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints'', B. Herder, 1924, p. 759]</ref>


==Legend==
==Legend==
A twelfth century manuscript records one version of Orontius’ legend.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> Justus was a disciple of [[Paul of Tarsus|Saint Paul]] who on his way to [[Rome]] when he was [[shipwreck]]ed at [[Salento]], on the beach of [[San Cataldo, Lecce|San Cataldo]]. He converted two citizens of Rudiae (present-day Lecce), Orontius and Fortunatus (Orontius was Fortunatus’ uncle), to [[Christianity]]. Orontius' father, Publius, had been treasurer to the emperor, and Orontius had succeeded him to this office.
A twelfth-century manuscript records one version of Orontius' legend.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> Justus was a disciple of [[Paul of Tarsus|Saint Paul]] who, on his way to [[Rome]], was [[shipwreck]]ed at [[Salento]], on the beach of San Cataldo. He converted two citizens of Rudiae (present-day Lecce), Orontius and Fortunatus (Orontius was Fortunatus' uncle), to [[Christianity]]. Orontius' father, Publius, had been treasurer to the emperor, and Orontius had succeeded him to this office.


Orontius and Fortunatus were denounced as Christians, and they refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods. They were whipped and incarcerated, but later went to [[Corinth]], where Orontius met Saint Paul, and was confirmed as the first bishop of Lecce, and Fortunatus his successor. When they returned to Lecce, they were once again persecuted by the authorities. The representative of Nero, Antoninus, imprisoned Orontius and Fortunatus, threatening to kill them if they did not reject their new religion. The two refused and managed to be released, and continued to preach in the Salento and at [[Bari]]. They were finally arrested again by Antoninus and executed with an [[axe]] three kilometers from Lecce, on 26 August.
Orontius and Fortunatus were denounced as Christians, and they refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods. They were whipped and incarcerated, but later went to [[Corinth]], where Orontius met Saint Paul, and was confirmed as the first bishop of Lecce, and Fortunatus his successor. When they returned to Lecce, they were once again persecuted by the authorities. The representative of Nero, Antoninus, imprisoned Orontius and Fortunatus, threatening to kill them if they did not reject their new religion. The two refused and managed to be released, and continued to preach in the Salento and at [[Bari]]. They were finally arrested again by Antoninus and executed with an [[axe]] three kilometers from Lecce, on 26 August. Justus was also martyred.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/>


Hagiographer [[Frederick George Holweck]] says the account is "unreliable".<ref name=holweck/>
Justus was also martyred.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/>


==Veneration==
==Veneration==
[[Image:Colonna di Sant'Oronzo.jpg|thumb|150px|left|The Colonna di Sant'Oronzo, Lecce (Column of St. Orontius), donated by [[Brindisi]] to Lecce.]]
[[Image:Colonna di Sant'Oronzo.jpg|thumb|220px|right|The Colonna di Sant'Oronzo, Lecce (Column of St. Orontius), donated by [[Brindisi]] to Lecce]]
Orontius is the patron saint of Lecce, and is invoked for rain.<ref name=holweck/>
In 1658, the separate [[feast day]]s for Orontius, Fortunatus, and Justus were combined into one celebration. Orontius enjoyed a wider cult than the other two saints, and his cult was popular in Salento, [[Puglia]] and [[Basilicata]].<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> Many priests in Ostuni during the sixteenth century were named ''Rontius'', a variant of Orontius.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> He was identified with the martyr Arontius of Potenza, who is recorded in the ''[[Martyrologium Hieronymianum]]''.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> His cult in Lecce was reinvigorated by the fact that the ending of a 1656 [[Plague (disease)|plague]] there was attributed to him.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> A spring of water near Ostuni, considered miraculous, was associated with Orontius' cult.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/>
In 1658, the separate [[feast day]]s for Orontius, Fortunatus, and Justus were combined into one celebration. Orontius enjoyed a wider cult than the other two saints, and his cult was popular in [[Salento]], [[Apulia]], and [[Basilicata]].<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> Many priests in Ostuni during the sixteenth century were named ''Rontius'', a variant of Orontius.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> He was identified with the martyr Arontius of Potenza, who is recorded in the ''[[Martyrologium Hieronymianum]]''.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> His cult in Lecce was reinvigorated by the fact that the ending of a [[Plague (disease)|plague]] there in 1656 was attributed to him.<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/> A spring of water near Ostuni, considered miraculous, was associated with the cult of Orontius<ref name="Sant' Oronzo Oronzio"/>


Orontius is also venerated as the patron saint of [[Turi (Italy)|Turi]]. His legend states that he hid in a cave near Turi. The ending of an outbreak of [[cholera]] in 1851 was attributed to him. He also is considered to have hidden in a cave near Ostuni, and was patron of that city as well. A church and sanctuary were dedicated to him there, and the procession known as Cavalcata di Sant'Oronzo, is celebrated there. Each year a three-day festival in Ostuni is held from the 25 August to 27 August to honor him.
Orontius is also venerated as the patron saint of the town of [[Turi (Italy)|Turi]]. His legend states that he hid in a cave near there. The ending of an outbreak of [[cholera]] in 1851 was attributed to him. He is also believed to have hidden in a cave near Ostuni, and was patron saint of that city too, and a church and sanctuary were dedicated to him there, and the procession known as Cavalcata di Sant'Oronzo is still celebrated there. Each year a three-day festival in Ostuni and Lecce is held from the 25 August to 27 August to honor him.


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{cite book|author1=Sollerius, Joannes Baptista|author2=Joannes Pinius|author3=Guilielmus Cuperus|display-authors=etal|title=Acta sanctorum Augusti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rQpJAAAAcAAJ|volume=Tomus V|year=1741|publisher=apud Jacobum Antonium van Gherwen|location=Antwerp|language=Latin|pages=764–776}}
*{{cite book|author=Lanzoni, Francesco|title=Le diocesi d'Italia dalle origini al principio del secolo VII (an. 604)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzlSAQAAMAAJ|year=1927|publisher=Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana|location=Rome|language=Italian|pages=310–311}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons Category|Orontius of Lecce}}
*{{it icon}} [http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90471 Sant’Oronzo (Oronzio)]
*{{in lang|it}} [http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/90471 Sant’Oronzo (Oronzio)]

{{authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Orontius Of Lecce
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orontius Of Lecce}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Orontius Of Lecce}}
[[Category:Italian saints]]
[[Category:Italian saints]]
[[Category:Italian bishops]]
[[Category:Bishops in Apulia]]
[[Category:Christian martyrs of the Roman era]]
[[Category:1st-century Christian martyrs]]
[[Category:1st-century Christian martyr saints]]
[[Category:People from Lecce]]
[[Category:People from Lecce]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]

[[fr:Oronce de Lecce]]
[[it:Oronzo di Lecce]]
[[hu:Szent Orontius]]

Latest revision as of 21:17, 14 December 2024

Saint Orontius
Venerated inCatholic Church
FeastAugust 26
AttributesEpiscopal attire; smashes pagan idols at his feet[1]
PatronageLecce (city and province); Ostuni; Turi

Saint Orontius of Lecce (Italian: Sant'Oronzo, sometimes Oronzio or Aronzo; Leccese: Santu Ronzu) is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, along with two other figures associated with his legend, Fortunatus and Justus. He is viewed as the first bishop of Lecce.[2]

Legend

[edit]

A twelfth-century manuscript records one version of Orontius' legend.[1] Justus was a disciple of Saint Paul who, on his way to Rome, was shipwrecked at Salento, on the beach of San Cataldo. He converted two citizens of Rudiae (present-day Lecce), Orontius and Fortunatus (Orontius was Fortunatus' uncle), to Christianity. Orontius' father, Publius, had been treasurer to the emperor, and Orontius had succeeded him to this office.

Orontius and Fortunatus were denounced as Christians, and they refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods. They were whipped and incarcerated, but later went to Corinth, where Orontius met Saint Paul, and was confirmed as the first bishop of Lecce, and Fortunatus his successor. When they returned to Lecce, they were once again persecuted by the authorities. The representative of Nero, Antoninus, imprisoned Orontius and Fortunatus, threatening to kill them if they did not reject their new religion. The two refused and managed to be released, and continued to preach in the Salento and at Bari. They were finally arrested again by Antoninus and executed with an axe three kilometers from Lecce, on 26 August. Justus was also martyred.[1]

Hagiographer Frederick George Holweck says the account is "unreliable".[2]

Veneration

[edit]
The Colonna di Sant'Oronzo, Lecce (Column of St. Orontius), donated by Brindisi to Lecce

Orontius is the patron saint of Lecce, and is invoked for rain.[2] In 1658, the separate feast days for Orontius, Fortunatus, and Justus were combined into one celebration. Orontius enjoyed a wider cult than the other two saints, and his cult was popular in Salento, Apulia, and Basilicata.[1] Many priests in Ostuni during the sixteenth century were named Rontius, a variant of Orontius.[1] He was identified with the martyr Arontius of Potenza, who is recorded in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum.[1] His cult in Lecce was reinvigorated by the fact that the ending of a plague there in 1656 was attributed to him.[1] A spring of water near Ostuni, considered miraculous, was associated with the cult of Orontius[1]

Orontius is also venerated as the patron saint of the town of Turi. His legend states that he hid in a cave near there. The ending of an outbreak of cholera in 1851 was attributed to him. He is also believed to have hidden in a cave near Ostuni, and was patron saint of that city too, and a church and sanctuary were dedicated to him there, and the procession known as Cavalcata di Sant'Oronzo is still celebrated there. Each year a three-day festival in Ostuni and Lecce is held from the 25 August to 27 August to honor him.

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • Sollerius, Joannes Baptista; Joannes Pinius; Guilielmus Cuperus; et al. (1741). Acta sanctorum Augusti (in Latin). Vol. Tomus V. Antwerp: apud Jacobum Antonium van Gherwen. pp. 764–776.
  • Lanzoni, Francesco (1927). Le diocesi d'Italia dalle origini al principio del secolo VII (an. 604) (in Italian). Rome: Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana. pp. 310–311.
[edit]