Cetteus was a 6th-century bishop of Amiternum who lived during the pontificate of Pope Gregory the Great. According to tradition, he was elected to his see in 590 during a period of Lombard occupation. He is remembered for his refusal to support the occupying forces, which led to his flight to Rome. After returning to his city following an intervention by the Pope, he was ultimately executed by the Lombard leader Umbolus for his perceived political allegiances.
Life and death
During the Lombard occupation of Amiternum, Cetteus fled to Rome to avoid supporting the local captains. Upon his return, he attempted to prevent the execution of a captain named Alai during a local conflict. This intervention caused Umbolus to view the bishop as an enemy. Consequently, Cetteus was executed by being thrown from a bridge into the Aterno-Pescara river with a heavy stone around his neck.
Veneration
Fishermen discovered the bishop's body floating in the river near Pescara. Because they did not initially know his identity, they referred to him as Peregrinus, which means traveler. His remains were eventually interred in a church that became the Pescara Cathedral. He is recognized as the patron saint of Pescara and is commemorated on June 13.