Emygdius

Saint Emygdius (Latin: Emidius, Æmedius, Emigdius, Hemigidius; ; – AD) was a Christian bishop who is venerated as a martyr. Tradition states that he was killed during the persecution of Diocletian.

Life His hagiography

In 1703, a violent earthquake occurred in the Marche, but did not affect the city of Ascoli Piceno. The city's salvation was attributed to Emygdius. He was thenceforth invoked against earthquakes, and the city dedicated a church to him in 1717. All Catholic churches in the State of California are mandated to commemorate his feastday, invoking his protection against earthquakes.

Emygdius is considered to have protected Ascoli from other dangers. A dazzling vision of Emygdius is said to have deterred Alaric I from destroying Ascoli in 409. The troops of Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor passed through the region in 1038 carrying the plague; Bernardo I, bishop of Ascoli, invoked Emydgius' aid and the plague stopped. During World War II, on 3 October 1943, Emygdius is said to have protected the city against German movements against the Italian partisans.

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