Emilio di Benevento was an Italian bishop who lived during the late 4th and early 5th centuries. He is noted in historical and literary texts for his involvement in a diplomatic mission to Constantinople in 406. Sent by Pope Innocent I, he was part of a delegation of clergy tasked with delivering imperial and papal documents regarding the case of John Chrysostom. Despite being detained in the Atyra castle, he remained a respected figure in the ecclesiastical circles of his time.
Historical accounts
Emilio's activities are recorded in several ancient writings, including letters from John Chrysostom and a poem by Paulinus of Nola. Paulinus described a friendship with the bishop and noted his presence at a wedding blessing. During his mission to the East, Emilio and his fellow delegates were prevented from reaching Thessalonica and were eventually sent back to Italy from Lampsacus.
Veneration and status
While some 17th-century chronicles, such as those by Mario de Vipera, list him as a saint of Benevento with a feast day on May 12, this status is not universally confirmed. Historical researchers and the Bollandists have noted that he does not appear in official Beneventan liturgical lists or certain ancient martyrologies, leading to debate regarding his formal canonization.