A 5th-century Egyptian blacksmith, Ampelius used his trade to serve God and the poor before exiling himself near Genoa to live as a hermit. He is famous for repelling a temptress with a red-hot iron and for his constant piety at work. He is honored as the patron saint of blacksmiths in Genoa.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
5 reading sections
SAINT AMPELIUS OR APELLES, BLACKSMITH (5th Century).
Youth and professional life
Born in Egypt in the 5th century, Ampeles reconciled his trade as a blacksmith with rigorous piety and charitable management of his income.
This Sai nt was born in the 5th century, in Egypt, to honest and well-off parents, who had him educated while also having him learn a trade. The seed of the divine word did not fall on ungrateful soil, but caused the happiest fruits to germinate in his heart. The trade of blacksmith, which he had learned in his early youth, provided him with an honest fortune, which he did not, however, use solely for himself, but which he employed for good works. He divided it into three parts: the most considerable portion he donated to the infirm or sick elderly; the second was to serve for his own maintenance, and he reserved the third, both to meet unforeseen needs and to come to the aid of his neighbor in cases of distress. Ampeles set the example of all Chris tian a nd civil virtues: he was obliging, peaceful, moderate in his desires, zealous, and active; he never began or ended his day without praying, and even while he worked, he knew how to raise his soul toward God, thus observing what Saint Paul so strongly recommends to us, to pray without ceasing.
The Temptation of the Courtesan
To protect his virtue, Ampeles violently repels a courtesan who entered his workshop by using a red-hot iron.
In order to preserve his soul from the impressions of vice, he avoided all dangers that could have exposed its salvation. One day, however, he was unexpectedly surprised by temptation, upon seeing an impudent courtesan enter his workshop, but he pursued her instantly with a red-hot iron, and forced her to retreat.
Exile and eremitic life
Weakened by age, he left Egypt for Italy and settled near Genoa to end his days in solitude and prayer.
His physical strength having imperceptibly diminished, and no longer being able to manage his affairs himself, he resolved to separate himself entirely from men, and to occupy himself only with God and eternity. To accomplish his design more freely, he crossed the sea and came to It aly, in the vicinity of Geno a, where he led a life in solitude divided between mortification and contemplation, until the Lord called him to Himself.
Cult and attributes
Having become the patron saint of blacksmiths in Genoa, he is honored at the church of Saint Stephen and depicted with the tools of his trade.
He became the patron of blacksmith s in Genoa, who dedicated a chapel to him in the church of Saint Ste phen. The anvil, the hammer, etc., attributes of his profession, and the red-hot iron with which he pursued the courtesan, may serve to characterize our Saint.
Sources
The information is derived from the works of Rims, Weiss, the Bollandists, and Lamber.
Taken from Rims and Weiss, vol. VI, p. 439. See the Bollandi sts for May 14, and Lamber for the same day.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Ampelius (Apelles)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Ampelius (Apelles)
Who was Saint Ampelius (Apelles)?
A 5th-century Egyptian blacksmith, Ampelius used his trade to serve God and the poor before exiling himself near Genoa to live as a hermit. He is famous for repelling a temptress with a red-hot iron and for his constant piety at work. He is honored as the patron saint of blacksmiths in Genoa.
What is Saint Ampelius (Apelles) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Ampelius (Apelles): blacksmiths of Genoa.
How is Saint Ampelius (Apelles) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Ampelius (Apelles) is recognizable by: anvil, hammer and red-hot iron.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Ampelius (Apelles)?
1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Ampelius (Apelles)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Honoratus of Arles, Saint James of Tarentaise and Saint Jerome of Stridon.
When did Saint Ampelius (Apelles) die?
Saint Ampelius (Apelles) died around 500.
What are the other names of Saint Ampelius (Apelles)?
Other forms of the name: Apelles.
Who are the relatives of Saint Ampelius (Apelles)?
Relatives of Saint Ampelius (Apelles): Parents honnêtes et aisés (parents).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Apprenticeship in the blacksmith trade in Egypt
- Divided his fortune into three parts for the poor and the sick
- Attempted seduction by a courtesan repelled by a red-hot iron
- Sea voyage to Italy to withdraw from the world
- Life of solitude and contemplation near Genoa