Crispoldus

Who is Crispoldus?

Saint Crispoldus is venerated as a 1st-century Christian martyr. He is the patron saint of Bettona, in Umbria, and said to have been the first bishop of that city, although the dioceses of Nocera and Foligno also include his name in episcopal lists.

According to a legendary Passio of the 12th century, Crispoldus was a native of Jerusalem and one of the Seventy Disciples; in 58 AD Crispoldus was sent to Italy by Saint Peter to preach Christianity there. Crispoldus traveled to Umbria and performed miracles at the town of Bettona. He was consecrated bishop of Bettona by St. Brictius, who was bishop of Massa Martana. Britius is also named as a bishop of Spoleto and of Foligno. According to Giuseppe Cappelletti, Britius may have been a regional bishop, rather than a bishop of a particular diocese, which explains his association with multiple dioceses.

Crispoldus began to preach Christianity in his diocese, but was arrested by soldiers of the Roman Emperor Maximian. He was tried before the prefect Asterius and invited to sacrifice to the Roman gods. Crispoldus refused, and was killed after being tortured.