Nazarius and Celsus
Nazarius and Celsus (Italian: San Nazaro e San Celso; German: Nazarius) were two martyrs of whom little is known beyond the discovery of their bodies by Ambrose of Milan.
Saints Nazarius and Celsus | |
|---|---|
Giovanni Antonio Merli, Saint Nazarius on a horse, 1480. St. Nazarius and Celsus Abbey, San Nazzaro Sesia. | |
| Martyrs | |
| Born | Rome (Nazarius); Gaul (Celsus) |
| Died | Milan |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 28 July |
| Attributes | depicted as a man and boy walking on the sea |
According to Paulinus the Deacon's Vita Ambrosii, Ambrose, at some time within the last three years of his life, after the death of the Emperor Theodosius (d. 395), discovered in a garden outside the walls of Milan the body of Nazarius, with severed head. Nazarius's blood was reportedly still liquid and red when his body was exhumed by Ambrose. Ambrose had it carried to the Basilica of the Apostles. In the same garden Ambrose likewise discovered the body of Celsus, which he had transported to the same place. The Catholic Encyclopedia states: "Obviously a tradition regarding these martyrs was extant in the Christian community of Milan which led to the finding of the two bodies."