Anthony Neyrot was a 15th-century Italian Dominican priest who was later recognized as a blessed martyr. Born in Rivoli, he studied in Florence under Antoninus of Florence before serving in Sicily and Naples. During a sea voyage to Naples, he was captured by Barbary corsairs and taken to North Africa. After initially renouncing his Catholic faith to secure better treatment while in Tunis, he eventually decided to return to his original religious convictions, which led to his execution.
Life and death
While held in Tunis, Neyrot initially abandoned Christianity and lived as a member of the local society, even marrying a high-ranking Turkish woman. However, following the death of his mentor, he experienced a spiritual transformation. He sought confession from a Dominican priest and publicly declared his return to Catholicism during a royal procession. This act of defiance against the local ruler resulted in his death by stoning on Holy Thursday in 1460.
Veneration
After his death, merchants from Genoa retrieved his remains and transported them back to his birthplace in Rivoli. His tomb became a site for pilgrims, and his family maintained a tradition of wearing black during annual processions held in his honor. His status as a blessed was officially approved by Pope Clement XIII in 1767.