Napoleone martire was a Christian martyr who lived during the Diocletianic Persecution in the late third or early fourth century. While some historical records suggest he died in Rome, the Hieronymian Martrology places his death in Alexandria, Egypt. He is traditionally associated with fellow martyrs Saturninus, Celestinus, and Germanus. His identity became historically significant due to a later attempt to link his name to the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte through symbolic liturgical adjustments.
Historical identity
The saint was originally identified as Neopolo (or Neopolus). During the Napoleonic era, Cardinal Caprara sought to create a connection between the Emperor and the saint by identifying Neopolo with the name Napoleone. This linguistic similarity led to the shifting of the saint's feast day from May 2 to August 15, which coincided with the Emperor's birthday, facilitating a symbolic celebration of the ruler's name.
Veneration
The Catholic Church commemorates this martyr on August 15. The political attempt to align the saint's feast with the Emperor's birthday was short-lived, as King Louis XVIII abolished the celebration of San Napoleone in 1814 following the fall of the Napoleonic regime.