Euphrasius of Illiturgis

Saint Euphrasius of Illiturgis is venerated as a Christian missionary of the 1st century, during the Apostolic Age. Euphrasius’ diocese was traditionally associated with Illiturgis (Iliturgi), located between Bailén and Andújar. He is said to have been martyred at Illiturgis. According to tradition, he is one of the group of Seven Apostolic Men (siete varones apostólicos), seven Christian clerics ordained in Rome by Saints Peter and Paul and sent to evangelize Spain. Besides Euphrasius, this group includes Sts. Hesychius, Ctesiphon, Torquatus, Indaletius, and Secundius (Isicio, Cecilio, Tesifonte, Eufrasio, Hesiquio y Segundo).

Veneration The communal feast of the Seven Apostolic Men was celebrated in the Mozarabic liturgy.

In the 7th century, Sisebut built a church over the saint's sepulcher at Illiturgis, According to one legend, when Saint Euphrasius came to Spain, he brought with him an image of the Virgin Mary to which he showed devotion. According to the legend, this image was given to Euphrasius by Saint Peter, and is said to have been the portrait that Saint Luke painted of the Virgin Mary.