Severinus and Victorinus

The Holy Monks Severinus and Victorinus were two brothers, hermits and later bishops in Italy, in the sixth century. Severinus was bishop of Septempeda (now San Severino Marche) and Victorinus bishop of Camerino.

They were noblemen, but they gave much of their wealth to the poor and became hermits on Monte Nero near Septempeda. Victorinus then withdrew to a cave near Pioraco. Being subject to heavy temptations, he imposed on himself a severe penance: he had himself tied to a tree with his hands clasped between two branches. This ascetic struggle was painted on a small panel in the church of San Venanzio in Camerino, between 1478 and 1480, by the painter Niccolò da Foligno. Pope Vigilius made them bishops in 540, against their wish, Severinus of Septempeda and Victorinus of Camerino.

Victorinus reposed in 543, and Severinus, according to some sources in 545 and to others in 550, shortly before Septempeda was destroyed by the Ostrogoth Totila. The relics of Severinus were hidden in the cathedral of Santa Maria in Septempeda to protect them from looting, were rediscovered in 590 during restoration works and were moved to Monte Nero. At Pioraco stands a church dedicated to Victorinus. The two are commemorated together on 8 June, as saints of the West before the Great Schism (saints of the undivided Church), by the New Calendar.