Proculus of Pozzuoli

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Saint Proculus of Pozzuoli (also known as Proclus) was a Christian martyr who died around 305 AD during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. He died in Pozzuoli, near Naples, at the same time as Saint Januarius.

According to tradition, Januarius and several companions were captured after defending other Christians. Proculus, along with the deacon Eutyches and the layman Acutius, protested when Sossius, Festus, and Desiderius were condemned to be killed. They were beheaded near the Solfatara on September 19, 305.

Proculus’s relics were moved to various places over the centuries. They were first buried in the Calpurnian temple (later Pozzuoli Cathedral), with other relics taken to Benevento, Miseno, Naples, and Frattamaggiore. Some relics were later questioned as forgeries.

Feast days:
- Roman Catholic Church: October 18 (with Eutyches and Acutius) and November 16 (solely Proculus)
- Eastern Orthodox Church: April 21 and September 19

Locally, Proculus was affectionately nicknamed “o pisciasotto” (the pants-pisser) because November 16 often brought rain. There is a church dedicated to him in Miseno, and his veneration remains part of Pozzuoli’s tradition.