Blessed Francesco from Petriolo

Born in Petriolo in 1270 – Died in Arzni (Armenia) on March 16^th, 1314

Francesco was a religious man who was born in Petriolo. By ancient tradition, he was also known with his surname, Ciccioli. He entered the Franciscan Order, then he went to Armenia to start preaching with his brothers Monaldo from Ancona and Antonio Cantoni from Milan.
Carlino Grimaldi, custodian of Trabzon, wrote about the martyrdom of the Franciscans. They, as missionaries in Armenia, took to heart the living conditions of the Catholics, and they worked hard to convert the Muslims in Trabzon.

On Friday of the third week of Lent, on March 15^th 1314 (even if other researchers argue that this event happened in 1286), the Franciscans Francesco, Monaldo and Antonio were arrested while preaching, and brought to Trabzon’s main square. A Saracen, who was moved by compassion, tried to protect them, but he was killed instantly. In the main square, the three Franciscans continued to show their faith in God. So, the Muslims assaulted them with their swords, wounding them seriously. The swords amputated their limbs, while recommending to God their souls. Finally, Francesco, Monaldo and Antonio were beheaded. While their dead bodies were left in the square, the limbs and the heads were hung to the city’s doors and walls, guarded by soldiers. The cadavers were thrown in the open countryside, and left to the jaws of wild beasts.

An Armenian priest, with the help of some Christians, at his own expense managed to gather the remains of the victims. He wanted to offer them a respectable sepulchre. On the grave, someone recovered from blindness. On Good Shepherd Sunday, on April 28^th of the same year, the relics were transferred. The veneration of the Armenian for the martyred Franciscans was so strong that the Patriarch canonized them. Moreover, they were included in the catalogue of the Armenian Saints, imposing fasting on the martyr’s eve.