Exuperantius of Cingoli

Saint Exuperantius of Cingoli (Esuperanzio) was bishop of Cingoli, in the Marche region of Italy, in the fifth century. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and, according to the English source, in the Orthodox Church. His commemoration is on 24 January. He is the patron of the town where he was bishop, Cingoli, and of the locality of Montefelcino, also in the Marche. His characteristic symbols in art are the banner and the book.

According to tradition, he was born in Africa, in an Arian and Manichaean family. From childhood, feeling the call of faith, he was baptized at twelve according to the Christian rite, after he managed to persuade his father. Grown to manhood, he preached the Gospel in North Africa and led a monastic life. Then he set out for Italy and, on the sea voyage, managed to turn to the Lord all the crew, after at his prayer a great storm subsided.

He landed at Numana and soon reached Rome, where he was seized. He was freed by the pope, who, besides freedom, gave him the diocese of Cingoli, making him bishop. His episcopate at Cingoli, marked by numerous miracles, lasted fifteen years, until his death. Tradition attributes many miracles to his intercession, both during his life and after his death, among them the stopping of an outbreak of plague. Little is known of him with certainty, although he may have come from Africa.

In the local statutes of Cingoli of 1307, Exuperantius is mentioned as the head and guide of the people of Cingoli. In 1325 the commune of Cingoli took into its care and upkeep the church dedicated to him, which is now called the Collegiate church of Sant'Esuperanzio in Cingoli.