Saint Januarius

Saint Januarius, also known as San Gennaro, was a Christian bishop and martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. He was born in Benevento, Italy, and became the bishop of Naples in the year 305 AD. During the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, Saint Januarius was arrested and brought before the prefect of Naples. According to tradition, Saint Januarius was subjected to torture but steadfastly refused to renounce his faith. He was sentenced to death and executed in the year 305 AD, along with his fellow martyr Saint Processus. What stands out most in the story of Saint Januarius is the so-called "miracle of the blood." It is said that every year, on the celebration of his feast day on September 19th, a sample of the blood of Saint Januarius, preserved in a vial, spontaneously liquefies. This phenomenon has been regarded as a miracle and has attracted numerous devotees over the centuries.