. ,
Slovenia ,
Veneto,
Italy. "Hermagoras" was listed as the name of the first bishop of Aquileia. He was probably a bishop or lector living in the second half of the 3rd century or at the beginning of the fourth. However, because the name or origins of the very first bishop was unknown, Aquileian traditions arising in the 8th century made Hermagoras a bishop of the apostolic age, who had been consecrated by Peter himself. Hermagoras and Fortunatus may have been martyrs killed in
Singidunum (today's
Belgrade). There, around 304 during the religious persecutions led by Emperor
Diocletian, Hermagoras, or Hermogenes, was a
lector and Fortunatus a deacon. Their
relics may have been brought to Aquileia a century later, and that city became the center of their cult as it was at Aquileia that the belief in their apostolic origin arose. , about 1345. Gold and tempera on panel, 55 x 18 cm. Venice, Museo Correr Their
feast day was recorded as 12 July, which was further recorded in the
Roman Martyrology, the Church of Aquileia, and in various other Churches. However,
Venantius Fortunatus did not mention Hermagoras in his works, but mentioned the name of Fortunatus twice: once in a life of
Martin of Tours:
Ac Fortunati benedictam urnam, and the second time in his
Miscellanea:
Et Fortunatum fert Aquileiam suum. ==References==