Athanasius I

Who was Athanasius I?

Saint Athanasius I was the bishop of Naples from 850 to his death. He was the second son of Sergius I of Naples and became bishop at the same time his brother, Gregory, became co-duke. Athanasius was an intimate of both the court of the Western Emperor and that of the Pope. He was a familiaris of Lothair I and Louis II and was made a papal legate because of his connections with the Roman curia.

Before dying, Sergius bade Gregory to follow the counsel of his brother the bishop. Gregory did, but his son, Sergius II, did not. He persectued Athanasius, who was opposed to the alliance with the Aghlabids of Sicily. The bishop was exiled to a small island, only to be rescued by Amalfitan ships sent by the Emperor Louis. While travelling to Rome, Athanasius died. He is regarded among Roman Catholics as the co-patron saint of the city of Naples, and his feast day is 5 May.