Saint Bassian

Infobox Saint
name= Bassian
birth_date=~320 AD
death_date=~409 AD
feast_day= February 19
venerated_in= Roman Catholic Church


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attributes=deer; episcopal attire
patronage=Lodi
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Saint Bassian ( _it. San Bassiano) (ca. 320-ca. 409) is the patron saint of Lodi, Italy. Born in Syracuse, Sicily to Sergius, prefect of the city, Bassianus was sent to Rome in order to complete his studies. There, he was converted to Christianity by a clergyman named Jordan (Giordano).

Bassianus' father, who wanted his son to apostatize, asked him to return to Syracuse. Bassianus refused and fled to Ravenna. When the bishop of Lodi died around 373, Bassianus was asked to succeed him. He built a church dedicated to the Apostles, consecrating it in 381 in the presence of Saint Ambrose and Saint Felix of Como. In 381, he participated in the Council of Aquileia and perhaps may have participated in the Council of Milan (390), in which Jovinian was condemned.

Bassianus' signature is found together with Ambrose's in a letter sent to Pope Siricius. In 397, Bassianus was present at the funeral of his friend Ambrose. Bassianus died in 409, perhaps on February 19, his feast day.

Veneration

In 1158, when Milanese forces destroyed Lodi, his relics were taken to Milan. They were returned in 1163, when Lodi was rebuilt by Frederick Barbarossa.

External links

*it icon [http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/41800 San Bassiano]