View source for Gavinus

{{Short description|Martyr and saint}}
[[File:San gavino, int., bottega romana, san gavino a cavallo, XVII sec.JPG|thumb|San Gavino (Porto Torres)]]
'''Gavinus''' ({{langx|it|San Gavino}}) is a [[Christianity|Christian]] [[saint]] who is greatly celebrated in [[Sardinia]], [[Italy]], as one of the '''Martyrs of Torres''' ({{lang|it|Martiri turritani}}), along with his companions Protus, a bishop, and Januarius, a deacon.
==Narrative==
He was a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] soldier [[martyr]]ed for the Christian faith during the persecution of [[Diocletian]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=vZpIAQAAMAAJ&dq=St+Gavinus&pg=PA390 ''Italy: Handbook for Travellers'', Vol. 3, K. Baedeker, 1900, p. 390]</ref> in 304 in the city of [[Porto Torres]] ({{langx|la|Turris}}), according to the legend, on the orders of the governor (''preside'') of [[Sardinia]] and [[Corsica]], a certain Barbarus.
The earliest "passio" dates to the 12th century:
Barbaro, who had been sent to Corsica and Sardinia, reached Turres and published the imperial edicts against the Christians, was denounced by Proto, Gavino and Gianuario. They were summoned to the tribunal and being steadfast in refusing to sacrifice to the gods, were summarily beheaded.<ref name=borrelli>[http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/55250 Borrelli, Antonio. "Santi Gavino, Proto e Gianuario Martiri di Porto Torres", Santi e beati, April 4, 2006]</ref>
A second, longer, "passio", from the middle of the thirteenth century, follows standard medieval hagiographical conventions. In this, Protus and Januarius are arrested and subjected to torture. Gavinus is a soldier conveying them to prison. Impressed with their courage, he releases them and asks for their prayers. The next day Gavinus was arrested for failing to produce his prisoners, and when he declared himself a Christian, was beheaded on the shore. Hearing that Gavinus had preceded them in martyrdom, Protus and Januarius returned to the city, were arrested, and likewise beheaded.<ref name=rai/> The story of the martyrdom was distributed in nine readings for use in the recitation of Matins.
==Legacy==
[[File:Fontana di Rosello.JPG|thumb|San Gavino atop the [[Fountain of the Rosello|Fontana di Rosello]], Sassari]]
The well-known [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] church of San Gavino in [[Gavoi]] is dedicated to him, as is the town of [[San Gavino Monreale]], and a number of communes in Corsica.<ref name=borrelli/>
The 11th-century [[Basilica of San Gavino]] in Porto Torres, is also dedicated to this saint. It was built by Comita or Gomida, Judge of Torres, and contains the [[relics]], not only of Gavinus, but also of his companions, Protus and Januarius.<ref>[https://www.greatsardinia.com/en/places-to-visit/churches/basilica-of-st-gavinus/ "Basilica of St. Gavinus", Great Sardinia]</ref> According to legend, Gavinus appeared to Comita and requested he build the church. The relics of the saints were discovered in the crypt 1614.
==Patronage==
Gavinus is one of the patron saints of [[Sassari]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=0KEOAAAAYAAJ&dq=St+Gavinus&pg=PA439 Cook, Joel. ''Western countries'', John C. Winston Company, 1910, p. 439]</ref>
Gavinus is the patron saint of Porto Torres, Sardinia, and of [[Camposano]], Campania.<ref name=rai>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070421190703/http://www.international.rai.it/cristianita/santi/gavino/gavino.shtml "Gavino", ''La Rai per la Cultura'', April 21, 2007]</ref>
His feast day is given in the [[Roman Martyrology]] as 30 May.
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==Sources==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070421190703/http://www.international.rai.it/cristianita/santi/gavino/gavino.shtml Recent research on Saint Gavinus] {{in lang|it}}
* [http://www.sangavinomonreale.net/2009/02/27/la-chiesa-di-san-gavino-martire/ Church of San Gavino Martire in San Gavino Monreale] {{in lang|it}}
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{{Subject bar |portal1= Saints |portal2= Biography |portal3= Catholicism |portal4= Italy}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Christian saints in unknown century]]
[[Category:3rd-century Christian saints]]
[[Category:Saints from Roman Italy]]
[[Category:304 deaths]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]