Hermagoras of Aquileia

Hermagoras of Aquileia (also spelled Hermenagoras, Hermogenes, Ermacoras) (, , ; fl. 3rd century – c. 305) is considered the first bishop of Aquileia, northern Italy. Christian tradition states that he was chosen by Mark to serve as the leader of the nascent Christian community in Aquileia, and that he was consecrated bishop by Peter. Hermagoras and his deacon Fortunatus (Italian: , Friulian: , Slovene: ) evangelized the area but were eventually arrested by Sebastius, a representative of Nero. They were tortured and beheaded.

Veneration

St. Hermagoras and Fortunatus Church in Gornji Grad, Slovenia SS Ermagora and Fortunato's church-belfry, Lorenzago di Cadore, Veneto, Italy. "Hermagoras" was listed as the name of the first bishop of Aquileia. He was probably a bishop or lector living in the second half of the 3rd century or at the beginning of the fourth. However, because the name or origins of the very first bishop was unknown, Aquileian traditions arising in the 8th century made Hermagoras a bishop of the apostolic age, who had been consecrated by Peter himself.

Hermagoras and Fortunatus may have been martyrs killed in Singidunum (today's Belgrade). There, around 304 during the religious persecutions led by Emperor Diocletian, Hermagoras, or Hermogenes, was a lector and Fortunatus a deacon. Their relics may have been brought to Aquileia a century later, and that city became the center of their cult as it was at Aquileia that the belief in their apostolic origin arose.