Saint Pargoire

There is not a lot of information about this saint. According to one tradition, St Pargoire or as he was known, St Pargorio, was born in the fourth century, in the city of Noli, near Savona in Liguria (Italy). He came from a noble family and embarked upon a military career joining the Roman Legion called Tebea. Along with three other soldiers, Severino, Partenopeo and Parteo, all of whom also came from Noli he escaped martyrdom ordered by the Emperor Massimiano and became a missionary in Corsica. However he was eventually killed on the orders of the prefect there along with his three companions.

However there is another hypothesis, based on the Greek origin of his name and that of his companions, which suggests that he was the captain of a Byzantine ship, part of a naval fleet stationed in Noli which fought against the infidels. This suggests that he lived in the 7th or 8th centuries

A church was built in his honour in Noli in the 8th Century and shows more than anything that St Pargorio actually existed. Inside the church, which was rebuilt in the 11th century there are many tombs and decorations from the Lombard- Byzantine period. St Pargorio is usually shown on horseback, holding the standard of the fleet of Noli and with his three companions at his feet. Between 1239 and 1572, the church of St Pargorio became a cathedral.

                                                                                                                                                                        

 Tomb from the original church (rebuilt in 11th century)

 

St Pargorio's feast day is 7th September