Pamphilus of Sulmona

Saint Pamphilus of Sulmona was bishop of Sulmona and Corfinium (Valva) in the Abruzzo region of Italy at the end of the seventh century. He is commemorated on 28 April.

He was born in Abruzzo, probably around the middle of the seventh century, into a pagan family, and his father disowned him when he became a Christian. He was elected bishop of Sulmona in 682. Tradition describes him as a very generous and gentle man, much concerned with the evangelization of the Lombards who had invaded the land.

His clergy accused him of Arianism, but Pope Sergius I found him innocent and gave him alms for the poor of his diocese. The saint reposed at Corfinio around the year 700. His relics lie in Sulmona Cathedral, which is dedicated to him. He is patron of the towns of Sulmona, Spoltore, Scerni and Ocre, where churches bear his name.