FANTINO of TAURIANO, saint. — Patron of Tauriano in Calabria, of whom fragmentary and uncertain accounts place life in the 4th or 5th century. Converted to the faith in a wondrous manner, he in turn converted his parents, Fanzio and Deodata, who died as martyrs. At Tauriano he placed himself in the service of a certain Balsamario, who set him to tend sheep; but, suspecting his fidelity, subjected him to many trials. Emerging victorious, F. brought his master to the faith, with whom he became the apostle of Tauriano. There, after a penitent and most holy life, he died at the age of 33 and received cult.
BIBL.: The life, rather meager, was written in the 8th–10th century by Peter, a western bishop, supposed to be of Tauriano. It is preserved in the Messina codex graecus 29 (ff. 142–43), where also (ff. 143–52) follows the account of his miracles, by the same Peter. O. Gaetani, *Vitae SS. Siciliorum*, I, Palermo 1657, pp. 232–61; Acta SS. Iulii, V, Paris 1868, pp. 536–58; D. Martire, *Celebria sacra e profana*, I, Cosenza 1877, pp. 78–84; A. Basile, *Sul culto di un antico santo di Calabria*, in *Boll. d. badia greca di Grottaferrata*, a (1948), pp. 55–59.