Saint Fortunatus of Todi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Died | 537 |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | San Fortunato, Todi |
| Feast | October 14 |
| Patronage | Todi |
Saint Fortunatus (died 537) was a 6th-century bishop of Todi.[1] According to tradition, he defended Todi during a Gothic siege.[2] He is the patron saint of Todi.
Fortunatus came to Italy from Poitiers as a hermit. Because of his miracles and ability to cast out demons, in 528, he was urged by the clergy and the people to become bishop. His predecessor, Callistus (c. 502-28), had been killed by the Goths. The first cathedral was the church of Sant'Ilario.[3]
Fortunatus saved the city from being sacked by the Ostrogoths. He converted many and destroyed a temple to the god Pan, and used the materials to build a church.[4] Fortunatus consecrated the church. of San Fortunato, where his bones are preserved. A Benedictine monastery was attached to it in the 11th century. The altars to Fortunatus and Cassianus of Imola were consecrated by Pope Innocent III in 1198.[3]
He is praised by Gregory the Great, who calls him a man of great virtue who took great care in attending to the sick.[5] Gregory, born around the time Fortunatus died, was greatly interested in Fortunatus' life. Gregory writes, "A certain poor old man was brought to me –because I always love to talk with such men- of whom I inquired his country, and hearing that he was of the city of Todi, I asked him whether he knew Bishop Fortunatus. He said he knew him very well. 'Then I beseech you,' said I, 'tell me whether you know of any miracles that he did, and, since I am very desirous to know, explained to me what manner of man he was.'"[6]
The church of San Fortunato in Todi is dedicated to him and holds his relics. San Fortunato began as a Palaeo-Christian temple (7th century), and in 1292, the Franciscans began a new Gothic edifice with a "hall" structure. The crypt houses a sepulcher containing the remains of Fortunatus and other saints, as well as the tomb of Jacopone da Todi.
