Saint Urban I
Saint Urban I (born c. 175 AD in Rome, Italy; died May 25, 230 AD in Rome, Italy) was the Bishop of Rome (Pope) from c. 222 AD to 230 AD. His pontificate coincided with a period of relative tolerance under Emperor Alexander Severus. He is traditionally associated with the promotion of Christian practice and the conversion of several prominent Romans. He is venerated as a martyr in the early tradition, though modern scholarship considers his actual martyrdom uncertain. His feast day is May 25.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Urban I
| Saint Urban I | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 25 |
| Profession | Bishop of Rome (Pope c. 222–230 AD); confessor or martyr (traditionally); 3rd-century Roman bishop |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Roman Church; 3rd-century papacy; pre-Nicene Christianity; associated with the hagiographic tradition of Saint Cecilia |
| Patronage | Vinedressers and winemakers (his feast May 25 coincides with the beginning of the wine-growing season in medieval European tradition; this association was made by many medieval calendars regardless of whether Urban I is the specific patron in a given region) |
| Attributes | Papal vestments; martyrdom palm (traditional); the catacomb (burial in Praetextatus); association with Saint Cecilia |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Traditional martyrdom under Alexander Severus; however, his actual manner of death is not confirmed by contemporaneous sources; the Liberian Catalogue (354 AD) lists him as a confessor (not martyr); the Liber Pontificalis attributes a martyrdom to him under Alexander Severus; modern scholarship regards the martyrdom attribution as uncertain; he died c. May 25, 230 AD, in Rome; he was buried in the Cemetery of Praetextatus on the Appian Way; his relics were later moved and claimed at various sites |
| Primary Shrine | Catacombs of Praetextatus, Rome — original burial place; Greek epitaph discovered 1854; Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome — secondary relic site |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); May 25 |
| Historic Class | Semidouble (May 25) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Urban I became Bishop of Rome c. 222 AD. His pontificate lasted approximately eight years, during the generally tolerant reign of Emperor Alexander Severus. Few contemporaneous sources document his activities.
He is associated in the hagiographic tradition with Saint Cecilia and her husband Valerian; the Acts of Cecilia place Urban at the center of this famous martyrdom narrative, depicting him as the pope who baptized Valerian.
His original Greek epitaph, discovered in the Praetextatus catacomb in 1854, confirms his burial there. The inscription — simply "Urban the bishop" in Greek — reflects the Greek-speaking character of the 3rd-century Roman church.
He died c. May 25, 230 AD. The tradition records him as a martyr, though modern scholarship considers this uncertain. He was buried in the Praetextatus catacomb; his relics were later translated to various Roman churches including Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy
Death location: Rome, Italy
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Catacombs of Praetextatus, Appian Way, Rome — original burial; Greek epitaph.
- Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome — secondary relic site.
Feast day
May 25
Veneration
Saint Urban I was Pope c. 222–230 AD during the relatively tolerant reign of Emperor Alexander Severus. Associated in hagiographic tradition with Saint Cecilia. His original Greek epitaph was found in the Praetextatus catacomb in 1854. Feast May 25.
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