Saint Cetteus | |
|---|---|
 Cathedral of San Cetteo in Pescara | |
| Bishop and Martyr | |
| Died | ~597 AD Amiternum |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church,True Orthodox Church |
| Majorshrine | San Cetteo, Pescara |
| Feast | June 13; October 10 (in Pescara) |
| Patronage | Pescara; diocese of Pescara |
Saint Cetteus (orCeteus, also known asPeregrinus, Pelligrinus, Pellegrino) (d. June 13, 597) (Italian:San Cetteo, Ceteo) is thepatron saint ofPescara. He was abishop of the 6th century, elected to the see ofAmiternum inSabina (today the city ofSan Vittorino) in 590, during the pontificate ofGregory the Great.[1]
According to a largely legendary[1]Passio, during Cetteus’ episcopate, Amiternum was occupied by twoLombard captains, Alai and Umbolus. Cetteus, because he refused to support this occupation, fled toRome. Pope Gregory convinced Cetteus to return, however, after receiving a promise from the Lombards that they would treat the city's inhabitants with humanity. However, a dispute broke out between Alai and Umbolus, and Alai sided with Count Verilianus ofOrte, who occupied Amiternum at night. When the city's inhabitants woke up to this occupation, they wanted to kill Alai, but Cetteus intervened, and Alai was simply imprisoned but not killed. Umbolus, meanwhile, believed that Cetteus was an ally of Alai, and ordered the bishop's immediate execution.[1]
He was executed by having a large stone tied around his neck,[2] being thrown off a bridge and into theAterno-Pescara. His body floated to Pescara, where it was discovered by fishermen. They buried the body, whose vestments they recognized as those of a bishop, but not knowing the bishop's name, they called him Peregrinus (Peregrino), meaning "traveller" or "pilgrim." The saint's name was eventually discovered, and the body was buried in the church in Pescara that was later dedicated to him, San Cetteo. This church is nowPescara Cathedral.
Although largely legendary, thePassio is probably correct in placing Cetteus' death at the time of the Lombard invasion.[1]
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