ST LAURENCE OF SIPONTO, BISHOP

ST LAURENCE OF SIPONTO, BISHOP - 7 FEBRUARY

SAINT LAURENCE OF SIPONTO, BISHOP

Saint Laurentius [also known as Laurence of Siponto, or Laurence Maioranus] was Bishop of Sipontum (Siponto) in Apulia. After the episcopal see of Siponto (later called Manfredonia) had become vacant by the death of Bishop Felix, Emperor Zeno of Constantinople asked Laurentius to accept this dignity. The latter refused at first; but upon the pleadings of the faithful he did consent after all.

HE ARRIVED AT SIPONTO

He then proceeded to request several relics from the emperor, which he also received, namely of protomartyr St Stephen and of the virgin and martyr St Agatha. He said farewell to his mother Lucia, his sister Theodora and his other relatives, set sail with the team that accompanied him and arrived safely at Siponto, where he was welcomed with great joy.

HE WAS WELCOMED WITH GREAT JOY

There he vowed to build a church for the relics he had brought with him, which he kept in the Basilica of St Mary for the time being. Consecrated bishop by Pope Gelasius I in A.D. 492, he administered his episcopal office with the greatest zeal and shone by his virtues.

HE SHONE BY HIS VIRTUES

He erected the promised church on the shore of the Adriatic Sea. In addition to this edifice, he also built several other churches, including the Church of St Michael, Archangel, whose strange apparition (which is celebrated by the Church on May 8) took place during his time in office. Once, when the Neapolitans were at war with the Sipontines, St Michael promised him that he would help fight for them, which he did, so that the Sipolinians achieved a brilliant victory.

HIS HOLY DEATH

After St Laurentius had led a holy life adorned with all virtues, he died on February 7, around the year 550, and was buried in a chapel next to the larger Basilica of the Blessed Mother. He had been bishop of Siponto for more than 50 years. He is not inserted in the Roman Martyrology. But then again, the Roman Martyrology mentions just 7 St Laurentiuses altogether.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - 🎨 Bishop Laurentius investigates the Apparition of St Michael, Archangel, on Monte Gargano)

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