Baring-Gould’s sources: Milan Kalendar, Modem Roman Martyrology. Authorities: — The Acts written about the 10th cent. The first mention of S. Fidelia is by S. Ennodius, B. of Ticenum, d. 521; but he gives no details.] S. Fideus was a native of Milan, and was baptized by S. Matemus. In the persecution of Maximian he visited the prisons and ministered to the Christians in them. By some means or other he obtained the liberation of certain confessors, and escaped with them to Como, hoping to be able to hide himself and them from pursuit in the intricacies of the Alpine valleys. But when his companions were pursued, he, hoping that his part in obtaining their escape would not be known, left them, and getting into a boat got across the lake as far as Samolito,1 then the head of the lake, though 1 Summolacmn SS. Anastasia and Cyril.

Know some miles from it, so rapidly has the lake filled. His companions, Carpophorus and Exantus, were taken in a wood near Como, and were executed on the spot The soldiers then took a boat and pursued Fidelis, and caught him at Samolito, when he thought he was in security. They first cudgelled him and then cut off his head. According to another account Fidelis, Carpophorus, and Exantus were soldiers who deserted rather than do sacrifice. Popular legend had added some marvels. The spot where he is said to have suffered decapitation is under a great pine, and is still pointed out.

At Arona are shown the bodies of S. Fidelis and S. Carpophorus, translated thither from Como in 1350, but they are also shown at Como.

Though there are no early acts of these martyrs, the story is not one which would lead us to doubt its being substantially true.