Crescentinus

Saint Crescentinus the Martyr was, according to tradition, a Roman soldier who embraced the Christian faith and died by beheading in the year 303, during the persecution of Diocletian. He is the patron of the city of Urbino, where his feast is kept on 1 June, and he is venerated as a warrior saint.

Tradition says he was born in Rome in the year 276 to Euphemius, a Roman nobleman who had become a Christian. He entered the army and served in the first cohort of the first legion, stationed at Rome to guard the emperor. The legion was commanded by Saint Sebastian, with whom Crescentinus spread the Christian faith.

To escape Diocletian's persecution he fled to Umbria and found refuge at Thifernum Tiberinum, today's Città di Castello. The legend says that his victory over a dragon opened the way to the conversion of the region, together with his companions. His mission was confined mostly to the valley of the Tiber. He was then beheaded.

Because he is venerated as a warrior saint, he is sometimes shown on horseback killing a dragon, in the manner of Saint George. His story, however, does not include a princess to be rescued, as the story of Saint George does.

In 1068 Blessed Mainard, the bishop of Urbino, wishing to enrich his cathedral, brought the saint's relics to the city. Duke Francesco Maria I della Rovere placed the saint on horseback on the coin called the armellino. Crescentinus is still honoured in Urbino, where his statue is carried through the streets in procession on the feast day. One local custom is for the faithful to have their heads touched with the saint's relics, in the hope of being freed from headaches. He is also honoured as patron of Crescentino in Piedmont and as co-⁠patron of Città di Castello.