| Saint Magnus of Anagni | |
| Death Date: | 2nd century |
| Feast Day: | August 19 |
| Venerated In: | Roman Catholic Church |
| Birth Place: | Trani |
| Death Place: | near Fabrateria Vetus |
| Titles: | Bishop and Martyr |
| Attributes: | episcopal attire, palm of martyrdom |
| Patronage: | Anagni; Colle San Magno |
| Major Shrine: | Cathedral of Anagni |
Saint Magnus of Anagni (Italian: San Magno di Anagni; born 2nd century), also known as Magnus of Trani or Magnus of Fabrateria Vetus, is venerated as the patron saint of Anagni.
According to tradition, he was born in Trani in the 2nd century, the son of a man named Apollonius. He became a shepherd at an early age to support the family; he had a small flock of sheep and donated his earnings to the poor. He and his father were baptized by Bishop Redemptus of Trani.[1] When Redemptus died, Magnus was proclaimed bishop of Trani by the people and local clerics.[2] As bishop Magnus worked to spread Christianity in Fondi, Aquino, and Anagni. In Anagni, he baptized a young woman named Secundina, who would later die as a Christian martyr. Magnus fled to Rome to escape the persecutions of Christians that were led by a man named Tarquinius. After a while, Magnus headed home, hiding himself along the way. Soldiers discovered him in a cave near Fondi, however, and he was decapitated near Fabrateria Vetus, in Latium.[1]
In the ninth century, his relics were translated from Fondi to Veroli by a man named Plato. According to tradition, a Muslim overlord named Musa converted Magnus' sepulcher into a stable.[1] When the horses placed in the stable began to die, Musa became frightened and sold the relics to citizens from Anagni.[1] These relics were translated to Anagni Cathedral in the presence of Bishop Zacharias (Zaccaria).[1]
Magnus was declared patron saint of Anagni, and was also venerated in the town of Colle San Magno, in Frosinone.[1] Magnus should not be confused with Saint Magnus of Cuneo, martyr of the Theban Legion, who is venerated on the same day.[1] The Roman Martyrology lists only Saint Magnus of Anagni.[1] He is mentioned in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum in which his death place is listed as Fabrateria vetus. Magnus enjoyed wide veneration in the lower Latium region. His name appears in the Sacramentarium Gelasianum (7th century) and the Sacramentarium of the eighth century.
The crypt of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata in Anagni is dedicated to Magnus and decorated with frescoes of scenes from his life.[3]