Gaudiosus of Naples, also known as Gaudiosus the African, was a 5th-century bishop originally from Abitina in Roman Africa. Following the persecutions led by the Vandal king Genseric, he escaped North Africa by boat. He arrived in Naples around 439 AD alongside several other exiled clergy, including the bishop of Carthage. After settling on the city's acropolis, he became a significant religious figure in the region, helping to shape the local monastic and liturgical traditions.
Life and work
Originally born as Septimius Celius Gaudiosus, he served as the bishop of Abitina near Carthage. His life changed when he fled his homeland to escape Vandal rule. In Naples, he is credited with introducing the Augustinian Rule and bringing various sacred relics, such as those belonging to Restituta, to the city.
Veneration and legacy
His remains were placed within the Catacombs of San Gennaro during the 6th century. The religious importance of his memory is preserved through the San Gaudioso cemetery located within these catacombs. He is commemorated as a saint in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, with his feast day observed on October 27.