Saint Zeno of Verona

Zeno of Verona (Venetian: Xenòn de Verona or Xen de Verona; Italian: Zenone da Verona; about 300 – 371 or 380) was an Afro-Italian Christian figure believed to have either served as Bishop of Verona or died as a martyr. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. A Veronese author named Coronato, who was a notary in the 7th century, claimed that Zeno was a native of Mauretania who taught children of Africa about the Catholic religion and also helped them with their education. Another claim was that Zeno was a follower of Athanasius, patriarch of Alexandria, and accompanied his master when the latter visited Verona in 340. The literary style of the more than 90 Sermones attributed to Zeno is also considered evidence of his African origins, since Christian African writers of the time frequently used neologisms and wordplay. Many of the Sermones concern Old Testament exegesis and are said to "have a definite anti-Semitic element in them". This interpretation is not shared by Giuseppe Laiti, expert on San Zeno's work. Staying in Verona, Zeno entered the monastic life, living as a monk until around 362, when he was elected successor to the See of Verona after the death of Bishop Gricinus. Zeno had "received a good classical education". As bishop he baptized many people and won converts back from Arianism. He lived a life of poverty. He trained priests to work in the diocese and set up a convent for women. In addition, he reformed how the Agape feast was celebrated and forbade that funeral masses be accompanied by attendees' loud groans and wailing. Zeno's other reforms included instructions concerning adult baptism, which occurred by complete immersion. He instituted the issuing of medals to people newly baptized in the Catholic faith. Zeno's episcopate lasted for about ten years; the date of his death is sometimes given as 12 April 371. Zeno is described as a confessor of the faith in early martyrologies.