Bassus of Lucera
Saint Bassus of Lucera (Italian: Basso di Lucera; c 40/50–118) was a Christian martyr and saint, and traditionally the first bishop of Lucera in Apulia, Italy. He is the patron saint of Termoli.[1]
Saint Bassus of Lucera | |
|---|---|
 Statue of St. Bassus. Cathedral of Termoli. | |
| Bishop and Martyr | |
| Born | ~40-50 AD |
| Died | 118 AD |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 5 December |
| Patronage | Termoli |
Legend
One of the earliest Christian communities is believed to have been established in Lucera. The legend of the saint relates that in about the year 60 Saint Peter passed through and put Bassus at the head of the nascent bishopric. Bassus was martyred under Trajan in 118.
His feast day is 5 December.
Disagreements on identity
There is some controversy regarding the identity of Bassus, in that there is potential confusion between Saint Bassus of Lucera and Saint Bassus of Nice (or Nicaea), who was also a bishop and martyr and whose feast day also falls on 5 December, although his martyrdom took place at Nice[2] in about 250. There may also be confusion with a certain Saint Dasius of Dorostoro, also known as Bassus.
Notes
- Holweck, F.G. (1924). A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints: With a General Introduction on Hagiology. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints: With a General Introduction on Hagiology. B. Herder Book Company. p. 142.
- or Nicaea
Sources
- Santi, Beati e Testimoni: San Basso di Nizza (in Italian)
- San Basso di Termoli historical website (in Italian)
- Folklore of Termoli (in Italian)
- Cupra Marittima: San Basso (in Italian)