Heliodorus of Catania

Heliodorus of Catania (Italian: Eliodoro, pronounced [e.ljoˈdɔː.ro]; died Catania, 778) is a semi-legendary personage accused by his contemporaries of being a necromancer practicing witchcraft.

Son of a noble Sicilian family, he at first professed he was a Christian, and he was even a candidate to assume the Episcopal Diocese of Catania. In that period the Etnean City came under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Roman Empire governed by then-Emperor Leo III the Isaurian.

Having failed to achieve this religious appointment, conferred on an Archdeacon from Ravenna (Saint Leo of Catania), he apostatized to begin taking an interest in magic. Leo later became a "Saint", a "Miracles' Operator", and the "Fifteenth Bishop of Catania".

Besides the accusation of necromancy, Heliodorus was pointed to as an "idolmaker" and "a Disciple of the Jews". He remained a vocal opponent of Saint Leo the Thaumaturgus (="The Wonderworker"), Bishop from A.D. 765 to 785.

References

• Lo Presti, Salvatore (1938). Fatti e Leggende Catanesi. Catania: Edizione SEM.
• Amari, Michele (1933). Storia dei Musulmani di Sicilia. Catania: Nallino.

Portrayals

• Giuseppe Platania (Palermo 1780-1852) - Saint Leo and the burning Heliodorus (Museum of Castello Ursino - Catania)
• Matteo Desiderato (XVIII-XIX) - Saint Leo overcomes Heliodorus (Mother Church of Santa Maria di Licodìa - Province of Catania)
• Painting with Saint Leo and Heliodorus (Parishional Church of Saint Leo - Saracena - Province of Cosenza)
• Mural artistic creation - Saint Leo, Heliodorus and the pyre & the Unscathed Saint Leo (Parishional Church of Saint Leo - Saracena - Province of Cosenza)