Primianus of Larino

Holy Martyr Primianus of Larino died on 15 May 303 or 304 and is the patron of the town of Lesina, in Apulia, Italy. He is also joint patron, with Saint Pardus, of the town of Larino, in the province of Campobasso. His commemoration is on 15 May, with fireworks and music in both places; elsewhere it is on 28 April, and a Russian source also gives 3 May. He is a saint of the Roman Catholic Church; our sources mention no Orthodox veneration.

According to tradition, three Christian brothers, Primianus, Firmianus and Castus, were persecuted and put to death in the persecution of Diocletian, on 15 May 303, in the amphitheatre of Larino. Firmianus and Castus were devoured by lions, but Primianus tamed them and was spared; according to the Russian source he simply remained alive. The next day, or later, he was beheaded near the Temple of Mars in Larino, and went to the Lord after his brothers.

There is a further legend that in 842 Larino was taken and mostly destroyed by the Saracens. Its inhabitants scattered across the surrounding countryside, and the inhabitants of the city of Lesina were able to take from the ruined church the relics of Primianus, Firmianus and Castus. The citizens of Larino, once the town was restored, declared war on Lesina and stormed it to regain the relics. In the confusion they broke into the tomb of Saint Pardus, the patron of Lesina, and took his relics instead, removing them in a farm cart decorated with flowers.

The former cathedral of Lesina was dedicated to Primianus and is now a church, containing the Sanctuary of Primianus. A notable reliquary of some of Primianus's relics is preserved at Acquaviva Collecroce.