Emilianus of Trevi

Holy Hieromartyr Emilianus, bishop of Trevi, an Armenian by birth, was put to death in the time of Diocletian, on 28 January 302 or 304. He is remembered on 28 January, and a Serbian Orthodox source and a Russian one give also 18 August. His life is known from the Passio Sancti Miliani, preserved in two codices, one of the ninth century, at Montecassino, and another of the twelfth century, in the archive of the cathedral of Spoleto, which may be copies of an older text, of the fifth or sixth century.

Life

Coming from Armenia, in 296 (according to other reports, at the end of the third century, with three companions, Hilarianus, Dionysius and Ernippus) he was consecrated by Pope Marcellinus as the first bishop of Trevi. In the persecution of Diocletian he refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods and was subjected to countless tortures. A Serbian source says he was arrested by Maximian, and that after long torments and his refusal to renounce Christ, his brothers and their teacher Hilarion were also arrested, themselves unshaken, and that all were killed in public, in the square.

He was put to death on 28 January 302 or 304, with three companions. He was beheaded three kilometres from Trevi, at Bovara, then a pagan holy place, bound to an olive tree, which is said still to exist. His body was carried and buried at Spoleto. In the turbulent Middle Ages his relics were forgotten, perhaps hidden or stolen, but were found again in 1660, during a restoration of the cathedral of Spoleto, where they are still kept. The Serbian source says, however, that after the persecution ended his relics were moved to the cathedral of Trevi.

The story in sculpture

His trial and execution are depicted in a sculpture of the late twelfth century, of five panels, cut from re-⁠used old columns. The proconsul sentences him to death. First he is whipped and then preparations are made to burn him alive, but the cold freezes the executioners' hands and puts out the torches. Then he is given to wild beasts, which kneel before him. At last he is tied to an olive tree and beheaded.

Veneration

Emilianus is the patron of the town of Trevi, and his feast, from ancient times, culminates in the night procession, the Processione dell'Illuminata, on the eve of the feast, 27 January. He is also venerated at Ripa, in Perugia, where his feast is kept on the Sunday nearest to 28 January.