Feastday: July 30
Patron: of Assisi
Death: 3rd century
Roman martyr. He was reportedly put to death in Assisi, Italy.
- For other saints named Rufinus, see Saints Rufinus.
According to legend, Rufinus of Assisi (Italian Rufino), who is the patron saint of Assisi, Italy, was the first bishop of Assisi. He was responsible for converting Assisi to Christianity, but at what date is disputed. He is said to have died as a martyr at Costano, where the church was dedicated to him in 1038, and whence, according to Petrus Damiani, his relics were translated to Assisi in the 8th century. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia he is likely the same saint denoted under 11 August in the Roman Martyrology as Episcopus Marsorum (Bishop of the Marsi people).
His remains were put to rest in a Roman sarcophagus. The front is sculpted in low relief with the myth of Selene and Endymion. It is now located under the main altar of the Cathedral of San Rufino, which is the third church to have been erected over his remains.
The feast day of this saint is 11 August.
Notes
- ^ In Latin, "Redhead"; one of eleven saints Rufinus in the Roman martyrology (Catholic Encyclopedia, s.v. "Rufinus")
- ^ Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon gives martyrdom as "412 ?".
- ^ Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon
- ^ Roman Martyrology
