St., or San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, was bishop of Beneventum, and flourished about the close of the third century after Christ. The traditions of the church assert that, having been condemned to death, he was thrown to the lions in the amphitheatre of Puteoli. The lions, instead of devouring him as had been expected, laid themselves down in tame submission at his feet. This miracle gained so many converts to Christianity, that Diocletian ordered the martyr to be beheaded. This cruel sentence was executed in A.D. 305. The remains of the saint were buried in Pozzuoli, but were removed, after a few years, to Naples. In the ninth century, Sicon, Prince of Beneventum, carried off the bones of the saint to Beneventum, of which city he had been bishop. In 1497 the body was again taken to Naples, and buried with great pomp in the cathedral. When the saint was martyred some of his blood was collected in two phials, which are now kept in the cathedral church. Twice a-year—in May and September—this blood liquefies, and the recurrence of the miracle is looked forward to with great joy by the people of all ranks. On each occasion the liquefaction lasts for a week, which is always spent by the Neapolitans in festivities of every kind.