Today, August 5, is the memorial of Saint Emidius.
Born in 279, Emidius was a pagan of Trier who converted to Christianity. He traveled to Rome and cured the paralytic daughter of his host Gratianus, who volunteered to let Emidius stay at his house on Tiber Island. Gratianus’ family then converted to Christianity.
His reputation for curing the sick made the Romans believe that he was the son of their god Apollo. However, he told everyone that he was a Christian. Afterwards, he destroyed the pagan altars and the statue of Aesculapius the god of medicine.
He was made a bishop by Pope St. Marcellus I, and sent to Ascoli Piceno.
On his way to Ascoli, Emidius also performed miracles such as making water appear off a mountain. Emidius converted more to Christianity, including the governor Polymius’ own daughter Polisia. Polymius was so angry he had Emidius beheaded.
The story went that Emidius stood up, carried his own head to a spot on a mountain where he had constructed an oratory. Thus he died between ages 29-30 in 309 AD.
In 1703, a violent earthquake occurred in the Marche but did not affect the city of Ascoli Piceno. The citizens credited Emidius for saving them. He was then invoked against earthquakes. A church was dedicated in his honor in 1717.