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Thursday, November 12
Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite
Sinaxarion

Martyr

Amicus and Amelius

Two martyrs honored at Mortara in Italy.

Uncertain source. We are looking to verify this information as soon as we can.

Feast
October 12old style October 25
Era
11th century
Place
Mortara
Order
Martyrs

Life

Amicus and Amelius are the protagonists of a chivalric and religious legend about perfect friendship and mutual sacrifice, also known as Ami and Amile. The oldest surviving version is in the Epistula ad Bernardum of Radulf Tortarius, written around 1090; later Latin and vernacular versions followed.

In the Italian hagiographic tradition the two were placed in the army of Charlemagne, killed in 773 fighting the Lombards, and are venerated as martyrs at Mortara; the local commemoration is on 12 October. It is rather a medieval legend than an attested historical life.

Commemorated the same day October 12