Name Romulus Genoa | Role Saint Died Sanremo, Italy | |
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Feast November 6 (formerly October 13, December 22) Attributes depicted with episcopal dress and a sword in hand | ||
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church | ||
Saint Romulus of Genoa (also Remo; Italian: Romolo, Ligurian: Rœmu) was an early Bishop of Genoa, around the time of Saint Syrus. His dates are uncertain: since Jacobus da Varagine traditional lists compiled from local liturgies generally place his bishopric fourth in a largely legendary list. He fled from Genoa and never returned He died in the cave he inhabited at Villa Matutiæ, a town on the Italian Riviera which later adopted his name, becoming "San Remo" (from 15th century until the first half of the 20th century), and then later Sanremo.
Veneration
In 876 the bishop Sabbatinus brought his remains to Genoa, to the church of San Siro, where a new structure was consecrated in 1023.
Since he was invoked in defence of Villa Matutiæ from its inhabitants during enemy attack, the saint is depicted with episcopal dress and a sword in hand.
St Romulus' feast day had been kept on October 13, the traditional date of his death, as well as on December 22. In the Archdiocese of Genoa his feast day is now celebrated on November 6, together with two more of its early bishops: Saint Valentine of Genoa and Saint Felix of Genoa.