Fortunatus of Todi was a 6th-century bishop who served the people of Todi. Originally a hermit from Poitiers, he moved to Italy and was eventually chosen for the episcopacy in 528 due to his reputation for performing miracles and exorcisms. He is most notably remembered for protecting his city from an Ostrogothic siege and for his dedicated care for the sick, a virtue noted by Pope Gregory the Great.
Life and work
Following the death of his predecessor, Fortunatus took leadership of the local church. He contributed to the Christianization of the region by repurposing materials from a temple dedicated to Pan to construct a church. He was highly regarded for his virtuous character and his commitment to the infirm, qualities that earned him praise from later ecclesiastical leaders.
Veneration
The saint is the patron of Todi, and his remains are kept in the church of San Fortunato. This site, which features a crypt containing his sepulcher, has evolved from an early Christian temple into a Gothic structure. The location also serves as the resting place for the poet Jacopone da Todi.