Petronius of Bologna facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintPetronius |
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| Born | Unknown |
| Died | ca. 450 AD |
| Venerated in | All Christianity |
| Major shrine | Basilica di San Petronio, Bologna, Italy. |
| Feast | October 4 |
| Attributes | Depicted as a bishop holding a model of Bologna in his hand |
| Patronage | Bologna |
Petronius (Italian: Petronio) was a bishop in the city of Bologna, Italy, around the year 450 AD. He is known as a patron saint of Bologna, which means he is considered a special protector of the city. Petronius came from a rich and important Roman family. He became a Christian and later a priest. As the bishop of Bologna, he helped build the Church of Santo Stefano.
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Who Was Saint Petronius?
We learn about Saint Petronius from writings by two important people from his time: Bishop Eucherius of Lyon and Gennadius of Massilia. Eucherius wrote that Bishop Petronius was famous in Italy for being a very good and virtuous person.
Gennadius tells us more about Petronius's family. They were noble and held important jobs in the Roman Empire, especially in Milan and other regions, during the late 300s and early 400s. His father, also named Petronius, might have been a high-ranking official in Gaul (which is now France) around 402–408 AD.
Even when he was young, Petronius lived a simple and disciplined life, focusing on his faith. He may have even traveled to the Holy Land in Jerusalem on a pilgrimage, which is a special religious journey.
Becoming Bishop of Bologna
Around the year 432 AD, Petronius was chosen to be the Bishop of Bologna. As bishop, he built several churches. One important church he built was dedicated to Saint Stephen (Santo Stefano). This church was designed to look like the holy places in Jerusalem, such as Golgotha (where Jesus was crucified) and the Holy Sepulchre (where he was buried).
He also built the church of Santa Lucia and the first church of Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano.
Petronius is believed to have died before the year 450 AD, during the time of Emperors Theodosius II and Valentinian III.
Honoring Saint Petronius
Many years after his death, in the 1100s, stories about Petronius became very popular. His relics (which are special remains or objects connected to a saint) were found in 1141. Soon after, a church was built in his honor in Bologna.
Later, in 1390, a much larger church, the San Petronio Basilica, was started. This basilica is one of the biggest churches in the world. In the year 2000, Saint Petronius's relics were moved from the Santo Stefano church to the grand Basilica of San Petronio.
Saint Petronius's feast day, which is a special day to celebrate him, is on October 4th each year.
In art, Saint Petronius is often shown as a bishop holding a small model of the city of Bologna in his hand. This shows his role as the city's patron saint.
Images for kids
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A statue of St Petronius by Michelangelo in the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna.
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A statue of St Petronius in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana.
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The grand San Petronio Basilica in Bologna.
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A detail from a painting of St Petronius by Francesco del Cossa.
See also
In Spanish: Petronio de Boloña para niños
