Gemine of Casventum

Gemine was a hermit of Spoleto in Umbria, venerated as a saint in central Italy. According to tradition he was born in Syria in the second half of the eighth century, in a pagan family, and died on 9 October 915. He is commemorated on 9 October.

His pagan parents were named Milisieno and Belliade. He was a Christian and, like his father, made weapons. Already in Syria he decided to devote himself to the hermit's life, leaving a secure career. Like other pilgrim hermits of his time, he wandered through various places until he moved to Italy. He landed on the coast of the Marche and lived for a time in the region of Fano, at the monastery of Saint Paternian. Then he went inland, reached Spoleto and finally Umbria, where he settled at Casventum, in the province of Terni. There he led a hermit's life of penance, arousing great admiration in the people who came to him for spiritual counsel.

The town was then destroyed by a Saracen attack. When it was rebuilt it changed its name to San Gemini, in honor of the holy hermit, who was then recognized as its patron. Today it is known for its mineral springs.

In the last years of his life he entered a monastery. He died in an Etruscan town in the province of Viterbo, on 9 October 915. If he was born in the second half of the eighth century, the year 915 would mean an unusually long life, which the sources do not explain. Saint Gemine is venerated not only at San Gemini but also at Narni and Viterbo, where particles of his relics are kept.