Caecilius of Elvira

Saint Caecilius of Elvira is remembered by tradition as a missionary bishop of the first Christian generation, laboring in Spain during the Apostolic Age. Though the details of his birth are not known, he is said to have first preached as an itinerant bishop in the region of Roussillon before turning his heart toward the people of Iliberri, also called Iliberis, the ancient Elvira associated with Granada. There he became the first bishop, and so is honored as the founder of the Church of Granada, whose origins local memory places as early as the middle of the first century. Caecilius is counted among the Seven Apostolic Men, a group of clerics believed to have been ordained in Rome by Saints Peter and Paul and sent to evangelize Spain. Tradition also credits him with writing instructive treatises and sealing his witness with martyrdom, burned during the persecution under Nero. Venerated as the patron of Granada, he is celebrated with special devotion at Sacromonte. His feast day is February 1.