St. Julius of Novara

St. Julius of Novara (*Giulio*, c. 330–401) was a Greek-born priest and missionary who, with his brother Julian the Deacon, evangelized the Lake Orta region of northern Italy during the fourth century. 📜 Life Born in Aegina, Greece, Julius received ordination to the priesthood while his brother Julian was ordained a deacon. During the reign of Emperor Theodosius I, the brothers obtained imperial permission to build churches on the sites of pagan temples and embarked on an ambitious missionary journey through northern Italy. According to tradition, Julius and Julian built ninety-nine churches together. As Julian constructed the ninety-ninth church in Gozzano, Julius set out to find the location for their hundredth. He discovered a small island in Lake Orta—then called Lake Mukoros—which local boatmen refused to approach, believing it infested with serpents and dragons. Legend holds that Julius spread his cloak upon the waters and sailed across to the island, guided by his staff. Upon arrival, he commanded the serpents to depart in God's name, and they slithered away to settle on a distant mountain. On the purified island, Julius built a church dedicated to the Twelve Apostles—the site where the Basilica di San Giulio stands today. Julius died around 401 and was buried in the church he had founded. His relics remain enshrined in a glass casket within the basilica's crypt, drawing pilgrims across the centuries. 🕯️ Veneration St. Julius is the patron saint of bricklayers and builders, honored for his lifelong dedication to church construction. He is typically depicted as an elderly priest holding a staff, sailing upon his cloak across waters filled with serpents—symbolizing his victory of faith over paganism. His feast day is celebrated on **January 31**. 📍 Patronage - Bricklayers and builders - Orta San Giulio, Italy - Cavenago di Brianza, Italy