Fidelis of Como

Holy Martyr Fidelis of Como was a soldier and received the crown of martyrdom in Lombardy in Italy under Maximian Herculius, around 304. He is a saint of the undivided Church.

His cult is tied to that of Saints Carpophorus and Exanthus, two other soldier-⁠saints. One version of the legend says all three were Roman soldiers of the Theban Legion who deserted during the persecution; at Como they parted, Carpophorus and Exanthus hiding while Fidelis crossed the lake by boat to Samolaco, but all were caught and beheaded. Another says Fidelis was an officer guarding Christian prisoners at Milan, among them Alexander of Bergamo, and managed to free five of them; with Carpophorus and Exanthus he tried to reach the Alps but they were executed at Como. More likely he was a missionary sent by Maternus, bishop of Milan, to convert the pagans around Lake Como, and met his death there.

His cult at Como is ancient. In the early 6th century Ennodius describes at Como a tomb with the martyr's relics, and reports of miracles there spread his fame. An account of 964 describes the translation of his relics to Como; before 1000 the church of Sanfedelino, dedicated to him, was built on the site of an earlier simple chapel of the 4th century, dedicated to Saint Euphemia. Relics are said to have been moved to Arona during a war between Milan and Como; in 1576 Charles Borromeo moved relics of Carpophorus and Fidelis to Milan.

He is commemorated on 28 October, the liturgical date in the Orthodox calendar (the same day number on the old and new calendars).