Marcian of Syracuse
Marcian, or Marcianus (Antioch of Syria, 1st century - Syracuse), was a bishop and martyr, venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.
According to tradition Marcian was the first bishop of Syracuse; a disciple of the apostle Peter. He is considered the first bishop of the West, as he arrived in Sicily while the apostle was still in Antioch.
Sources on Marcianus are considered late, as they are found only from the Byzantine era (7th century) onward. A Kontakion and an Encomium form the first two hagiographies on the saint, but the laudatory nature of these literary works makes it difficult to distinguish truthful biographical elements from fantastic ones.
Patron saint of Archdiocese of Syracuse; Gaeta (co-patron with St. Erasmus)
In the Martyrology
- October 30 Saint Marciano, first bishop of Syracuse, martyr