Venerable Eutychius (+540) and Florentius (+547)

The Venerable Eutychius and Florentius were monks and laboured in Italy, in the region of Nursia, in the sixth century. Saint Eutychius converted many to Christianity by his preaching. When the abbot of a nearby monastery died, the monks asked him to take up the cross of headship. The saint agreed, but even afterwards he continued to care for his former place of labour, where his fellow ascetic Florentius remained.

The Venerable Florentius worked a great many miracles: he tamed a bear, which served him, shepherded the sheep, carried water and carried out his teacher’s other orders. Saint Eutychius was not known for wonderworking in his lifetime, but after his death healings took place at his garment. In time of drought people would go round the fields holding this garment, and the Lord would send down rain. The Venerable Eutychius died on 23 May 540, and the Venerable Florentius on 1 June 547.