Arthelais

Who was Arthelais?

Saint Arthelais is venerated as a Christian saint. She is one of the patron saints of Benevento, with Saints Barbatus of Benevento and Bartholomew being the others. Her feast day is on March 3.

The daughter of an imperial proconsul named Lucius and his wife Aithuesa, Arthelais is said to have been pursued by Justinian, who desired her. However, Arthelais had taken vows of chastity. She was kidnapped while escaping to Benevento, where her uncle Narses Patricius lived. However, a miracle is said to have led to her liberation. She later died of a fever.