Saint Leo the Miraculous Bishop of Katani

Saint Leo the Miraculous Bishop of Katani
Date of celebration: 20/02

Saint Leo was born in Ravenna, Italy to pious and noble parents. After studying, he was ordained an elder in Ravenna and later was elected for the purity and spirituality of his life Bishop of Catania in Sicily. He became the patron of orphans and widows, taught and educated his flock and built the church of Saint Lucia the Martyr (see December 13). The Saint was also distinguished for his struggles against heretics, whom he defeated and humiliated not only with words but also with texts.

The Holy God endowed him with the gift of miracles. And the magician Heliodorus, who had beguiled many with sorcery, after prayer he burned him with fire, because he boasted that he could do all things and that he was not afraid of fire. Seeing this miracle, the believers were amazed. Immediately this incident spread in Vasilevousa. For this reason, the Saint was invited by the kings Leo IV (775 – 780 AD) and Constantine VI (780 – 798 AD) to Constantinople, where he received many honors.

Saint Leo fell asleep in peace in 785 AD. and his sept relic was interred in the church of Saint Lucia.

Note: Saint Nicodemus mentions that Saint Leo lived in the age of Leo the Wise (886 – 912 AD).