Calvus of Naples

Holy Hierarch Calvus of Naples was bishop of Naples in southern Italy from 749 until his repose in 761. The chief historical source about him is the first part of the "Deeds of the Bishops of Naples", written in the early 9th century by an anonymous author. Nothing is known of his origin.

He ascended the see of Naples after Saint Cosmas, who died in 748 or 749. Although in the middle of the 8th century Byzantium, whose Italian possessions included Naples, was gripped by the iconoclast movement, the sources say nothing about how the clergy and people of the city experienced these events. Of his deeds only one is known, that he ordered the building of an oratory dedicated to the martyr Sosius. He shepherded the Church for twelve years, four months and three days. His successor was Paul II.

Soon after his death the Neapolitans began to honor him as a saint, as shown by the mention of his name in the martyrology of the 9th century. His commemoration is kept twice: on 20 March and on 18 November, by the Western calendar (new style). He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.