Fortunatus

Saint Fortunatus is venerated by the Catholic Church as a bishop and martyr. He is the nephew of Saint Orontius and, together with Saint Justus, patron of the city of Lecce, of which, according to tradition, he was the second bishop (first century).

Tradition says he was born at Lecce of Saint Emiliana, the sister of Orontius. He first met Saint Justus on the shore of San Cataldo, during a hunt with his uncle, and there he turned to the Christian faith and was baptized by Justus, together with Orontius. The two went to Corinth, where Saint Paul made Orontius bishop of Lecce and his nephew his successor. Returned to Italy, the three preached the Gospel at Lecce and in the Salento. On 26 August, the day on which his uncle and Saint Justus died, Fortunatus became bishop and shepherded the new diocese until his death by beheading. He is commemorated on 26 August, by the Western calendar.