PUBLIO, saint, martyr. — Bishop of Athens in the 2nd century; it is not established that he received a cult in antiquity.
Florus was the first to introduce him into the Martyrology, and he is commemorated on 21 January. St Dionysius, bishop of Corinth (160–70), writing to the Church of Athens, reproached those faithful because after P.’s death they had greatly relaxed in their Christian life. He succeeded him in the episcopate
Despite the criticisms directed at him, P. remains an opera composer of limpid and melodious vein, a talented musician and a refined harmonist.
BIBL.: G. Pacini, Discorso in morte di Michele P., Lucca 1865; G. Monaldi, G. P. e la sua opera, Roma 1924; A. Bonaventura, G. P. l'uomo, l'artista, Livorno 1924; F. Marietti and G. Pragni, G. P. intimo, Firenze 1925; Epistolario di G. P., edited by G. Adami, Milano 1928; A. Bonaccorsi, La musica sacra dei P., in Bollettino stor. lucchesi, 1 (1934), p. 73 ff.