Ursus of Aosta (Italian: Sant'Orso d'Aosta; French: Saint Ours d'Aoste; fl. 6th century) was an Italian evangelist of the 6th century, today venerated as a saint. His feast day is February 1.
Biography
Originally thought to have been of Irish origin, historians seem to agree that he came from the Val d’Aosta.[1][2] He became a monk at the Abbey of San Giusto in Aosta.[3] Ursus was later appointed archdeacon for Jucundus (in Italian, San Giocondo; in French, Saint Joconde), bishop of Aosta.[4] He built the Church of San Lorenzo, which became the Collegiate church of Saint Ursus in Aosta.[5][6] He evangelized the region of Digne and was an opponent of Arianism.
Patronage
Ursus is a patron saint of Burano.[7]
The Fiera di Sant’Orso in Aosta is held annually on January 30th and 31st.[3][1]
References
- 1.[1.2]Monchiero, Alessandro. "The Fair of Saint Ursus in Aosta", Specchio di La Stampa, January 13, 2001
- 2."The Cloister of Sant’Orso in Aosta", Cenobium
- 3.[3.2]"The Fair of Saint Orso, Aosta’s biggest celebration", L'Italo Americano, January 23, 2024
- 4.Holweck, Frederick George (1924). A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints: With a General Introduction on Hagiology. B. Herder. p. 1000.
- 5.Watkins, Basil (19 November 2015). "Juventius of Pavia". The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical Dictionary (8th ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 739. ISBN 978-0-567-66415-0.
- 6.Fodor's Travel Guides (14 December 2021). "Aosta". Fodor's Essential Italy 2022. Fodor's Travel. ISBN 978-1-64097-448-7.
- 7.Stracke, Richard. "The Saints Named Ursus in Art", Christian Iconography