Liberalis of Treviso was a 4th-century priest and hermit originally from Altinum. Born into a noble equestrian family, he was instructed in the Christian faith by Heliodorus, the first bishop of his home city. He is primarily remembered for his opposition to Arianism and his dedication to religious asceticism, which included periods of fasting and intense mortification. After attempting to locate Heliodorus to assist with the theological challenges facing the see, he eventually lived as a hermit before his death in Ammiana.
Life and death
Following his conversion, Liberalis practiced strict asceticism. While seeking to reunite the retired Bishop Heliodorus with his see to combat rising Arianism, he experienced a dream in which an angel foretold his approaching death. Unable to reach the island where Heliodorus had retreated, he lived as a hermit. He died on April 27 in the area of Castrazone, where he was interred in a marble sepulcher.
Veneration and legacy
His remains were moved from Altinum to Treviso to protect them from invasions, possibly by the Huns or Lombards. By the twelfth century, he was recognized as the patron saint of Treviso and its cathedral. He also became the patron of Castelfranco Veneto. In religious art, he is frequently portrayed wearing either a soldier's cloak or a dalmatic.