St. Emygdius Of Ancona
Bishop of Ascoli Piceno, Italy; martyred at Ancona, c. 279 – c. 309 AD. Emygdius was a barbarian from Trier and was converted to the Faith there. At an early age he went to Rome and undertook a vigorous missionary activity under Pope Marcellus I. After he provoked popular indignation by his desecration of a statue of the pagan god Aesculapius, Marcellus consecrated him a bishop and sent him to evangelize the region of Ascoli Piceno.
His missionary work was successful. During the persecution of Diocletian, he was beheaded at Ancona with his three companions, SS. Eupolus, Germanus, and Valentinus. The devotion of this saintly bishop spread through Italy, where he is considered an effective protector against earthquakes.
