Aprio de Roma, also known by the nickname El Niño Santo, was a young catechumen who lived in Rome. He is remembered as a martyr who died in the year 321. According to Christian tradition, his body remained incorrupt for fifteen centuries, leading to his preservation in a wax casing. While some observers suggest the figure may be a wax sculpture rather than his actual remains, he remains a significant figure in religious memory.
Life and death
Living during the early fourth century, Aprio was a catechumen in Rome. He was martyred in 321, an event that established his status as a saint within the pre-schism Catholic tradition. His identity as a young follower of the faith earned him the enduring nickname El Niño Santo.
Veneration
The saint is honored for his early martyrdom. His veneration is linked to the tradition that his body stayed incorrupt for fifteen hundred years. This led to the practice of bathing his remains in wax, though modern debate exists regarding whether the displayed figure is a wax sculpture or his true physical remains.