Nepotian of Altinum

Saint Nepotian was an ascetic of Altinum in northern Italy, nephew of Bishop Heliodorus. He was born in 365 and died in 396, young. He is commemorated on 11 May.

He was the son of the sister of Bishop Heliodorus of Altinum. He began his life as a soldier. Soon after, he was baptized and, leaving the army, began to live in a hermitage. He then decided to become a priest. In 394 he was ordained by his uncle. On this occasion Saint Jerome sent him a letter on the duties of the priesthood.

He died early, in 396, and Saint Jerome then wrote to Heliodorus another letter, to console him for the loss of his nephew. In the so-⁠called Epitaphium Nepotiani he recalls that the young man was very merciful to a neighbour in need, careful of the house of the church, and constantly read the sacred Scriptures.

He lived before the separation of the Churches, and so he is venerated as a saint of the undivided Church.