The 26th of August is the feast day of Saint Orontius of Lecce. He is the patron saint of Lecce (city and province); Ostuni; and Turi.
Saint Orontius of Lecce lived in the 1st Century, his father the Roman imperial treasurer in Lecce, Italy. When his father died, Saint Orontius took over his position. A disciple of Saint Paul, Justus, converted Orontius as well as his nephew Fortunatus. He was then later reported to authorities that he was a Christian and was ordered to offer a sacrifice to the pagan gods. He refused to do this and was arrested, his position removed, tortured and with Fortunatus was exiled to Corinth. He met Saint Paul the Apostle in Corinth and Orontius was made the first bishop of Lecce. Orontius and Fortunatus returned to Lecce where they were both imprisoned again and then released with the order to not to continue preaching. However, they continued to preach in the surrounding cities. They were arrested for the third time and executed.
