Syrus of Pavia

Saint Syrus of Pavia, traditionally believed to have lived in the 1st century, is honored as the first bishop of Pavia in northern Italy, though the details of his birth and early years are not known. Ancient legend remembers him as the boy in the Gospels who offered five loaves, later drawn into the circle of the apostles. According to this tradition, he followed Saint Peter to Rome and was then sent into the Po Valley to preach Christ, traveling through the chief cities of the region to bring many to the faith. Another early tradition links Syrus to the missionary lineage of Aquileia: as a disciple of Hermagoras, himself associated with Saint Mark the Evangelist, Syrus was sent with Juventius to establish and shepherd the Church in Pavia. As bishop, he is also remembered for strengthening orthodox belief and laboring to convert those influenced by Arianism. Venerated especially in Pavia, where his relics are kept, Saint Syrus is patron of Pavia and several surrounding towns. His feast day is December 9.