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Saint Tegulus (San Tegulo, Tegolo) is venerated at Ivrea as a martyr of the legendary Theban Legion under Saint Maurice in the third century. Local tradition holds that he survived the legion's decimation yet was later beheaded for Christ on the road to Montaldo Dora. His relics, discovered near Ivrea at the end of the tenth century under Bishop Warmondus, were translated into the cathedral and remain a focus of devotion. He stands as a witness of steadfast faith unto death.
Saint Tegulus is honored in the Church of Ivrea as a soldier-martyr linked by sacred tradition to the Theban Legion, that company of Christian soldiers from Egypt who, under the leadership of Saint Maurice, refused to renounce Christ in the late third century and suffered martyrdom for the faith.
According to the local tradition of Ivrea, Tegulus escaped the first decimation of his legion. He continued on the road of fidelity until he was finally seized and beheaded for Christ on the way to Montaldo Dora. The place of his martyrdom was later marked by the chapel of Santa Croce, raised in the fourteenth century over the spot where his blood was shed.
Veneration of the saint flowered anew at the close of the tenth century. During the episcopate of Bishop Warmondus (Varmondo), the relics of Tegulus were discovered in a sepulcher a short distance outside Ivrea. With reverence the bishop had them translated within the city walls to the cathedral and placed in the chapel of San Giacomo. In later centuries the sacred remains were moved once more, together with those of Saint Bessus, into the chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament, where the faithful of Ivrea have continued to honor this soldier of Christ.
Thus the memory of Tegulus was joined to the ancient glory of the Theban martyrs, and his cult has endured as a call to courage and perseverance.
May Saint Tegulus obtain for us the grace of unwavering fidelity, that we too may prefer Christ to every earthly safety.
Sources: Wikidata Wikipedia Causes of Saints Also listed Wikidata
General Roman Calendar · Liturgical Calendar API
