Venerable Severus the Presbyter

Venerable Severus was a 6th-century priest in central Italy, known only from the Dialogues of St Gregory the Great (d. 604), who gives no exact dates. Severus served at the church of the Mother of God at Tudera in the province of Valeria, in the valley of Interocrea, and was known for his virtuous life.

Once, while pruning his vineyard, he was called to give Communion to a dying man, but lingered to finish the work. On his way he learned that the man had died. Blaming himself for the man's death without repentance, Severus wept bitterly at his bedside — and the dead man revived, telling how demons had seized his soul until an angel ordered them to return him because the priest Severus was weeping for him. Severus heard his confession and gave him Communion; the man lived another seven days and died in peace.

In the 10th century relics of Severus were taken to the monastery of Münstermaifeld near Koblenz. His story entered the Russian calendar through the Lives of the Saints of St Dimitry of Rostov. His feast is June 27 (July 10 New Style); in the West he is commemorated on February 15.