St. Januarius was bishop of Benevento when the persecution of Diocletian broke out. Moved by the capture of his good friend Sosius and others (Proculus, Eutychus and Acutius), St. Januarius determined to visit them in order to comfort and encourage them. His visit was noticed by the prison keepers who reported that an eminent person from Benevento had visited Christian prisoners. St. Januarius was apprehended and all of his companions were exposed to the beasts in the amphitheatre but none of the savage animals could be provoked to touch them. The people were amazed and accused them of art-magic. The martyrs were condemned to be beheaded. St. Januarius is the principal patron of Naples. He is known particularly by the miracle of the liquefaction of his blood, which takes placed three times a year, sometimes more frequently.