Possidonius

Saint Possidonius was a bishop of Greek descent, born at Thebes, venerated in Italy, where his relics came, near Mirandola. He is said to have lived between the fourth and fifth centuries. He is commemorated on 16 May.

The news about him is somewhat confused. According to a medieval chronicle kept at Reggio nell'Emilia, Possidonius was of Greek origin. His relics arrived in the region called in the source Garfaniana, near Mirandola, and the town, changing its name, came to be called San Possidonio. The transfer of the relics was made possible through Azzo, bishop of Reggio nell'Emilia in the ninth century, for the emperor Louis the Pious (778 to 840). The episcopal authorities recognised the relics as authentic in 1766.

Later, because of the similarity of the names, his figure was mixed with that of Saint Possidius, the well-⁠known biographer of Blessed Augustine. Possidonius is the patron of the communes of San Possidonio and Mirandola, in the province of Modena.