Jan 25, 2019

β›ͺ Saint Artemas of Pozzuoli - Teenage Martyr

β›ͺ Saint of the Day : January 25

β›ͺ Died : Martyred at Pozzuoli, Italy.

Tradition says he was stabbed to death by his pagan school classmates using their iron pens.

A few decades before St. Gennaro, Bishop of Benevento and venerable Patron of Naples, suffered martyrdom in Pozzuoli; in this city to the west of Naples, an ancient Greek center and then a Roman port, the young Artema was born here and lived his short life in the third century. 

Born of noble parents and initiated into literary studies, he distinguished himself for the sharpness of talent, to the point that his teacher, Cathigate, named him head of the students and his collaborator. 

The young Artema was a Christian and took advantage of his office among the students, He brought his companions to Christ; but he was accused of proselytism and then denounced to his teacher and after having supported with him an impassioned defense of the faith, he was referred to the prefect of Pozzuoli (Puteoli).

The consequence was, in those times of persecution, the death sentence; the sentence was executed by his own companions, was pierced with the styles they used to write; the martyrdom took place on January 25 of an unknown year, but between the end of the third century and the beginning of the fourth century, the body was buried near Pozzuoli. 

It is included in the catalog of martyrs since the fifth century, as evidenced by his figure in the mosaics, now destroyed, which decorated the dome of the church of S. Prisco near Capua. 

It was revered in Pozzuoli until the tenth century, after a long period the cult was resumed and authorized for the Puteolan diocese, by the Sacred Congregation of Rites on 10 July 1959; in the cathedral of Pozzuoli there is a beautiful painting by Giovanni Lanfranco, of the century. XVII, which depicts his martyrdom.

The liturgical feast is January 25th.

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