Saint Novatus
Saint Novatus was a noble Christian of the 2nd century, brother of Timothy, known for his great charity towards his fellow believers. After a long illness, he received a visit from Bishop Pius and Saint Praxedes before passing away peacefully thirteen days later. His story is transmitted to us through a letter from Pastor to Timothy.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT NOVATUS, CONFESSOR (2nd century).
The support for Praxedes and the charity of Novatus
After the death of her sister Pudentiana, the virgin Praxedes receives the support of many Christians, including Bishop Pius and Novatus, a generous benefactor.
After the death of her sister Pudentiana, the venerable virgin Praxedes was in great affliction. A great number of noble Christians came to see her to console her, with the holy bishop Pius; among them was Novatus, yo ur br other, who is also ours in Our Lord, who nourished many Christians with his gifts, and frequently made mention of you at the altar of the Lord with the holy bishop Pius.
The announcement of the illness
Absent for more than a year due to illness, Novatus is the object of particular solicitude on the part of Praxedes and Bishop Pius.
The same Novatus, held back by illness, had not appeared before the virgin Praxedes for a year and twenty-eight days. One day the holy bishop Pius, recalling the memory of all the Christians with the virgin Praxedes, it was asked what Novatus, the man of God, was doing. It was answered that he was still ill. Upon hearing this, we were all saddened. Then the blessed Praxedes said to our Father Saint Pius: "May your holiness order that we all go together to visit him, and our visit and your prayers will save him."
Visit and passing of Novatus
Bishop Pius and Praxedes visit Novatus who, after giving thanks, passes away thirteen days later.
It was decided that we would act in this way, and at night we went, with Bishop Pius and the virgin of the Lord, to Novatus , the man of God. And Novatus, the man of God, having learned that we were coming to visit him all together, began to give thanks to God that he had merited the favor of being visited by the holy Bishop Pius and by the virgin of the Lord. We remained in his house for eight days. And it happened that Novatus, the man of God, passed to the Lord thirteen days later, to go and receive the reward of the heavenly kingdom. I t is Pa stor who writes th is to Ti mothy.
Attribution of the source
The account is attributed to Pastor in a correspondence to Timothy, mentioned in the Martyrology of Ado.
Entities
Narrative network
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Frequently asked questions about Saint Novatus
Who was Saint Novatus?
Saint Novatus was a noble Christian of the 2nd century, brother of Timothy, known for his great charity towards his fellow believers. After a long illness, he received a visit from Bishop Pius and Saint Praxedes before passing away peacefully thirteen days later. His story is transmitted to us through a letter from Pastor to Timothy.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Novatus?
Contemporaries include: Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (First Bishop of Paris), Saint Pothinus and his companions (Martyrs of Lyon), Saint Benignus of Smyrna and Jesus Christ (Relics of the Passion).
When did Saint Novatus die?
Saint Novatus died around 200.
Who are the relatives of Saint Novatus?
Relatives of Saint Novatus: Timothée (brother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Financial support for many Christians
- Long illness of one year and twenty-eight days
- Visit of Bishop Pius and the virgin Praxedes to his bedside
- Died thirteen days after his friends' visit