| Saint Fortunatus of Todi | |
|---|---|
| Died | 537 |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Todi |
| Feast | October 14 |
| Patronage | Todi |
Saint Fortunatus (died 537) was a 6th century bishop of Todi. According to tradition, he defended Todi during a Gothic siege.[1][2] He is the patron saint of Todi. He is praised by Gregory the Great, who calls him a man of great virtue who took great care in attending to the sick.[3] Gregory, who was born around the time that Fortunatus died, was greatly interested in the Fortunatus' life. Gregory writes that "a certain poor old man was brought to me –because I always love to talk with such men- of whom I inquired his country, and hearing that he was of the city of Todi, I asked him whether he knew Bishop Fortunatus. He said he knew him very well. 'Then I beseech you,' said I, 'tell me whether you know of any miracles that he did, and, since I am very desirous to know, explained to me what manner of man he was.'"[4]
The church of San Fortunato in Todi is dedicated to him and holds his relics. San Fortunato began as a Palaeo-Christian temple (7th century) and in 1292 the construction of a new Gothic edifice was begun by the Franciscans, with a "hall" structure. The crypt houses a sepulchre containing the remains of Fortunatus and other saints, as well as the tomb of Jacopone da Todi.