Faustinus and Jovita
Jovita and Faustinus were said to be Christian martyrs under Hadrian, traditionally held to have died in 120 AD. Together, they are patron saints of the Italian city of Brescia. Faustinus is the patron saint of Pietradefusi.
Traditional vita
Tradition states that they were members of a noble family of Brixia. Jovinus, the older brother, was a preacher; Faustinus, a deacon. For their fearless preaching of the Gospel, they were arraigned before the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who at Brixia, Rome and Neapolis, subjected them to frightful torments, after which they were beheaded at Brixia in the year 120. That is the date accepted by the Bollandists, while the historian Paul Allard gives the year as 118.Their Acts were compiled by Faustinus of Brescia, a bishop of Brescia said to be a descendant.
Veneration
The many so-called "Acts" are predominantly the fancy of legend. The Jesuit Fedele Savio questioned nearly every detail handed down, other than that they had been martyred. This is amply attested by their inclusion in so many of the early martyrologies and their extraordinary cult in their native city, where from time immemorial they have been the chief patrons. Savio emphasizes that the saints are not to be confused with the fabulous figures in the Acts.It is believed that they were martyred at a site that either was, or later became, a Roman cemetery. A church was built there called Santi Faustino e Giovita ad sanguinem. Its dedication was later changed to Saint Afra; Saint Afra's was destroyed during the bombing in World War II
Their traditional joint feast day on 15 February was inserted into the General Roman Calendar. It was deleted in 1969, because their "Acts are completely fabulous, treating Jovita as a preacher, although she was a woman and a man was Faustinus." The two saints remain listed in the Roman Martyrology, the official, though professedly incomplete, list of the saints recognized by the Catholic Church. The cities of Rome, Bologna, Verona, Pietradefusi and Malečnik share with Brescia possession of their relics.
Modern tradition considers the feast of Saint Faustinus to be the "Anti-Valentine's" Day, although he actually, as well as those not in relationships to avoid unhealthy ones and wait for a good partner.
Various reasons are given for this link to single persons:
- The respective dies natales of the Saints Valentine and Saint Faustinus are celebrated on successive dates, despite all three martyrdoms happening in different years ;
- In various languages, the names of the saints are assonant ;
- The Latin etymology of the name, makes him a patron and protector of those seeking love, trusting in a future relationship with some healthy patience.