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Magnus of Anagni

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Saint Magnus of Anagni
Bishop and Martyr
BornTrani
Died2nd century
near Fabrateria Vetus
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Major shrineCathedral of Anagni
FeastAugust 19
Attributesepiscopal attire, palm of martyrdom
PatronageAnagni; Colle San Magno

Saint Magnus of Anagni (Italian: San Magno di Anagni; born 2nd century), also known as Magnus of Trani or Magnus of Fabrateria Vetus, is venerated as the patron saint of Anagni.

Traditional narrative

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According to tradition, he was born in Trani in the 2nd century, the son of a man named Apollonius. He became a shepherd at an early age to support the family; he had a small flock of sheep and donated his earnings to the poor. He and his father were baptized by Bishop Redemptus of Trani.[1]

When Redemptus died, Magnus was proclaimed bishop of Trani by the people and local clerics.[2] As bishop Magnus worked to spread Christianity in Fondi, Aquino, and Anagni. In Anagni, he baptized a young woman named Secundina, who would later die as a Christian martyr. Magnus fled to Rome to escape the persecutions of Christians that were led by a man named Tarquinius. After a while, Magnus headed home, hiding himself along the way. Soldiers discovered him in a cave near Fondi, however, and he was decapitated near Fabrateria Vetus, in Latium.[1]

Veneration

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In the ninth century, his relics were translated from Fondi to Veroli by a man named Plato. According to tradition, a Muslim overlord named Musa converted Magnus' sepulcher into a stable.[1] When the horses placed in the stable began to die, Musa became frightened and sold the relics to citizens from Anagni.[1] These relics were translated to Anagni Cathedral in the presence of Bishop Zacharias (Zaccaria).[1]

Magnus was declared patron saint of Anagni, and was also venerated in the town of Colle San Magno, in Frosinone.[1] Magnus should not be confused with Saint Magnus of Cuneo, martyr of the Theban Legion, who is venerated on the same day.[1] The Roman Martyrology lists only Saint Magnus of Anagni.[1] He is mentioned in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum in which his death place is listed as Fabrateria vetus.[3] Magnus enjoyed wide veneration in the lower Latium region.[3] His name appears in the Sacramentarium Gelasianum (7th century) and the Sacramentarium of the eighth century.[3]

The crypt of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata in Anagni is dedicated to Magnus and decorated with frescoes of scenes from his life.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Arduino, Fabio (March 13, 2007). "San Magno di Anagni (o da Trani)". Santi e Beati. Retrieved December 27, 2008.
  2. ^ Monks of Ramsgate. “Magnus of Anagni”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 15 November 2014
  3. ^ a b c Ekkart Sauser (2003). "Magnus von Fabrateria vetus". In Bautz, Traugott (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 21. Nordhausen: Bautz. col. 890. ISBN 3-88309-110-3.
  4. ^ "Anagni Cathedral", Italia.it
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