Paulinus of Antioch

Paulinus of Antioch was bishop of Lucca and suffered during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero by 67 martyrdom. However, historical sources about his life, work and death are not available.

According to tradition, accompanied Paulinus the Apostle Peter from Antioch to Rome, and was ordained by the latter to the bishop of Lucca. After Paulinus had converted many people there, Nero had to capture him and accuse the wild beasts in the arena, but they could not harm him. Only after further torture Paulinus eventually died. The Christians Antony and Valerius took care of the bodies of Paulinus and executed with him Severus and Theobaldus and buried it honorably in Lucca. Valerius was then successor of Paulinus as bishop of Lucca.

Paulinus was first mentioned only in 1197 in an inscription. On June 15, 1261 a brother Jacobus was revealed by an apparition that the body of St.. Paulinus, buried in a church lying; the brother should take care for the collection of relics. In the church was actually the inscription "Here lies the body of Blessed Paulinus, the first Bishop of Lucca, and a disciple of the Apostle Peter, and St.. Severus and Cheobaldus " found. The church was consecrated then Paulinus, who was henceforth revered as the patron saint of Lucca. His feast day is July 12th.