Conon of Naso was a Basilian abbot who lived in Sicily between the 12th and 13th centuries. Born in 1139, he served his religious community in Naso, where he eventually died in 1236. He is recognized as a saint within both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. His life is characterized by his spiritual leadership and various accounts of his miraculous interventions and moral guidance during his time in the Holy Land and Sicily.
Religious life
During a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Conon reportedly experienced a vision of a priest being strangled by a snake. Upon his return, he used this insight to confront the priest, who subsequently confessed to misappropriating church funds. Conon successfully encouraged the man to reform his behavior. Additionally, tradition holds that he performed a miracle by curing a Sicilian boy suffering from apoplexy.
Veneration and legacy
As the patron of Naso, Conon is remembered for his perceived protection of the local population. In 1571, during a severe famine, the citizens prayed for his help. It is said that he appeared to a ship captain, leading to the arrival of grain that saved the people from starvation. His feast day is observed on 28 March.