Juventius of Pavia

Saint Juventius was bishop of the city of Pavia, in northern Italy, in the fourth century. He shepherded the Church there for thirty-⁠nine years and departed to the Lord on 8 February 397. The Church remembers him as one of those who planted the Christian faith in Pavia.

According to tradition, Juventius was sent to Pavia together with Saint Syrus by Saint Hermagoras, bishop of Aquileia, to preach the Gospel in the city and to found a bishopric there. Syrus is usually counted as the first bishop of Pavia, and Juventius continued the same work after him. Some sources call both of them the first bishops of the city, while others place Juventius third in the line of pastors.

His name also appears in the sources as Eventius, Iventius or Inventius. Few details of his pastoral deeds have survived, but thirty-⁠nine years of service point to a long labour for the flock entrusted to him.

Saint Juventius has two days of commemoration: 8 February, the day of his repose, when he is honoured alone, and 12 September, when he is remembered together with Saint Syrus.