Saint Calocerus of Ravenna

Calocerus (from the Ancient Greek Kalókairos; died c. 125) was a legendary bishop of Ravenna, like most of the city's early bishops. Calocerus is venerated as a saint, with his feast day on February 11. According to legend, Calocerus was of Greek origin and may have been stationed as a soldier in Brescia. Bishop Apollinaris is said to have converted him to Christianity and ordained him as a priest. He eventually became the fourth successor to Apollinaris in the episcopal office and is said to have died as a martyr under Emperor Hadrian at the advanced age of 100. His great age corresponded to the Latinized form of his Greek name: kalos kairos, meaning "beautiful evening of life." The eleven successors of the legendary founder of the diocese, including Calocerus, are known as the Colombini because a dove appeared at each of their elections, indicating the most suitable candidate by landing on his shoulder. In this way, each candidate was effectively chosen by God himself. The election by a dove became a leitmotif of the church tradition in Ravenna.