Euphrasius of Illiturgis

Saint Euphrasius of Illiturgis is remembered as a 1st-century missionary of the Apostolic Age, traditionally associated with Illiturgis, between present-day Bailén and Andújar in Spain. Though the details of his birth are not known, Christian tradition honors him as one of the Seven Apostolic Men, ordained in Rome by Saints Peter and Paul and sent to evangelize Spain. As bishop of the local community, Euphrasius preached the Gospel with apostolic zeal and is said to have sealed his witness with martyrdom at Illiturgis. Devotion to him endured through the centuries: in the 7th century a church was built over his tomb, and during the Moorish invasion his relics were carried for safekeeping to Galicia, where he is venerated at Santa María do Mao near Samos. He is especially honored as patron of Jaén, and is also linked by later tradition to Corsica and Ajaccio. His feast day is celebrated on March 13.