Secundus of Asti

Infobox Saint
name= Saint Secundus of Asti
birth_date=
death_date=~119 AD
feast_day= March 30
venerated_in= Roman Catholic Church


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caption= Image of Saint Secundus, from the "Codice della Catena" (Turin).
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attributes=military attire; on horseback; sometimes depicted with Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion
patronage=Asti; Ventimiglia
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Secundus of Asti ( _it. San Secondo) (d. 119) is venerated as a martyr and saint. His feast day is celebrated locally on March 30. At Asti, his feast day is celebrated on the first Tuesday of May. He was a historical figure who was beheaded at Asti under Hadrian. He is said to have been a patrician of Asti and a subaltern officer in the imperial army. It is known that a church was dedicated to him in the area as early as the ninth century. [ [http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/47650 San Secondo di Asti ] ]

Legend

Later legends made Secundus a member of the Theban Legion. A more elaborate legend states that he was a young man of noble lineage who visited the jails of Asti. Secundus was a friend of Sapricius (Saprizio), prefect of the city. They traveled together to the city of Tortona, where Secundus met the city's first bishop, Marcian, who was later martyred under Hadrian. Secundus' meeting with Marcian influenced his decision to become a Christian; his meeting with Faustinus and Jovita further influenced his conversion. His friend Sapricius attempted to make him abjure his newfound faith. Secundus refused, and was tortured and decapitated.

Veneration

The codex called the "Codice della Catena" depicts Saints Octavius, Adventor, Solutor, Maximus of Turin, John the Baptist, and Secundus of Asti. [ [http://www.archeogat.it/torinomedievale/percorsoTAPPE/29MONsantimartiri.htm Torino Medievale - Percorso - Porta Doranea ] ] Bernardo Strozzi painted his "St Secundus and Angel" around 1640. [ [http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/strozzi_bernardo.html Bernardo Strozzi Online ] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0329.htm#secu Saints of March 29: Secundus of Asti]
*it icon [http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/47650 San Secondo di Asti]