He was born in 535 in Naples into a rich family of Syracusan origin, possibly related to saint Lucy - his father was Federico and his mother Giovanna.

He spent his youth as a hermit in a cave near a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary and then in the church of Santa Maria Intercede, which later became Sant'Agnello Maggiore.

On 30 July 2009, the bishop of Vallo della Lucania, Monsignor Giuseppe Rocco Favale, elevated the parish church of Rodio, built by the Knights of Malta in the 15th century, to the dignity of a diocesan sanctuary of Sant'Agnello abbot, particularly aimed at the defence and to the promotion of nascent life.

In 1979, the capital Pisciotta obtained from the competent Roman Congregation that, alongside the ancient protectors Santa Sofia and San Vito, Sant'Agnello was also proclaimed its patron.

In Tramonti (SA), in the hamlet of Cesarano on the 14th day after the solemn evening mass, the procession of the images of Saints Lucia and Aniello or Agnello takes place, up to the locality 'bont e cerz'.