Gavinus of Torres

Saint Gavinus of Torres, Martyr, is greatly venerated in Sardinia, in Italy, as one of the martyrs of Torres, together with his companions, Bishop Protus and Deacon Januarius. He is remembered on 25 October (in the Roman Martyrology, on 30 May).

According to the legend, Gavinus was a Roman soldier who received martyrdom in Diocletian's persecution, in the year 304, in the city of Porto Torres, by order of the governor of Sardinia and Corsica, a certain Barbarus. The earliest Passion, from the twelfth century, says that Barbarus, sent to Corsica and Sardinia, came to Turres and published the emperor's edicts against the Christians, and was denounced by Protus, Gavinus and Januarius. Summoned before the tribunal, they stood firm in refusing to sacrifice to the gods and were beheaded on the spot. A second, longer Passion, from the middle of the thirteenth century, follows the patterns of medieval narratives. According to it, Protus and Januarius are arrested and tortured. Gavinus, a soldier, takes them to prison but, amazed at their courage, lets them go and asks for their prayers. The next day Gavinus was arrested for not producing the prisoners and, confessing himself a Christian, was beheaded on the shore. Hearing that Gavinus had suffered before them, Protus and Januarius returned to the city, were arrested and likewise beheaded. The story of the martyrdom was divided into nine readings, for recitation at Matins.

The Romanesque church of San Gavino in Gavoi bears his name, as does the town of San Gavino Monreale and several places in Corsica. The Basilica of San Gavino in Porto Torres, of the eleventh century, is dedicated to him. It was built by Comita or Gomida, judge of Torres, and holds the relics not only of Gavinus but also of his companions, Protus and Januarius. According to the legend Gavinus appeared to Comita and asked him to build the church. The relics of the saints were found in its crypt in 1614. He is one of the patrons of Sassari, the patron of Porto Torres in Sardinia and of Camposano in Campania.

He is not to be confused with Saint Gabinus of Rome, father of Saint Susanna and brother of Pope Caius, remembered on 19 February in the West.