Primus

Holy Martyr Primus was a child martyred around 301-305, in the time of Diocletian, at the tender age of four years and eight months. Little is known of him: he suffered before his family. He may have been the son of Saints Claudius and Prepedigna, who were also martyrs, a grandson of Saint Maximus and a brother of Saints Alexander and Agutius. His age, however, is certain, since it is written on the slab of the tomb where the body was found: four years and eight months.

The body was found in the catacomb of Saint Hippolytus in Rome on 28 December 1831. The Jesuit Silvestro Iacopucci was present at the excavations and received the small body as a gift to take to his own village, Casabasciana, near Bagni di Lucca. Father Silvestro died prematurely, and the work was completed by his brother, the Jesuit Carlo Antonio Iacopucci, who had an urn made to hold the body clothed in precious garments. The urn was shipped from Civitavecchia to Viareggio, then to Lucca and finally to Casabasciana, on 25 May 1833. Since then Saint Primus has been protector of the village. He is venerated in the Catholic Church.