Bassus of Lucera

Saint Bassus of Lucera, hieromartyr, was, according to tradition, the first bishop of the city of Lucera in Apulia, Italy. He received the crown of martyrdom about the year 118. He is the patron of the town of Termoli. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, and the Roman Martyrology commemorates him on 5 December.

One of the earliest Christian communities is believed to have been established at Lucera. As a young man Bassus pursued a career in law. The legend of the saint says that about the year 60 Saint Peter passed through Lucera on his way to Rome and set Bassus at the head of the nascent bishopric. He was born, according to the sources, about 40 or 50 and died under the emperor Trajan.

His relics are housed in the cathedral of Santa Maria della Purificazione in Termoli. An annual festival is held in his honour in Termoli on 3 and 4 August. A question is raised about his identity, because there is potential confusion between him and Saint Bassus of Nice, also a bishop and martyr, whose commemoration also falls on 5 December, although his martyrdom took place at Nice about 250. He may also be confused with a certain Saint Dasius of Dorostorum, also known as Bassus, or with the soldier Dasius of Dorostorum.