Saint Canius

The principal source of information on the life of Canius is the Passio San Canionis, a document preserved in Acerenza Cathedral.

In the amphitheatre of Atella, a man was healed in the middle of a heart attack by the touch of Canius' hand; a blind woman named Eugenia regained her sight; and a boy was cured of demonic possession.

Bishop Elpidius of Atella, when he learnt miraculously of Canius' death, built a little shrine on the site to protect the saint's body.

In 1080, according to the chronicler Lupo Protospata, the body of Canius was re-discovered, and the newly rebuilt cathedral and diocese were put under his protection.

It is believed to be an ancient Christian oratory of the Atellan era, and seems to have been the place where Canius' body was preserved before its translation to Acerenza.