Defendens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Defendens of Thebes (Italian: San Defendente di Tebe) is venerated as a martyr by the Catholic Church. Venerated as a soldier-saint, Defendens was, according to Christian tradition, a member of the Theban Legion, and thus martyred at Agaunum.[1]
Saint Defendens of Thebes | |
---|---|
Martyr | |
Born | Africa? |
Died | 286 AD Agaunum |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Feast | January 2 |
Attributes | military attire |
Patronage | Romano di Lombardia; invoked against wolves and fires[1] |
Particular veneration for Defendens was widespread in Northern Italy;[2] evidence for this cult dates from as early as 1328.[1] His feast day was celebrated in the cities of Chivasso, Casale Monferrato, Novara, and Lodi on January 2, and oratories, altars, and confraternities were dedicated to him.[1] He also enjoyed veneration in Marseilles; the Catholic Encyclopedia states that “several saints belong in a particular way to Marseilles: the soldier St. Victor, martyr under Maximian; the soldier St. Defendens and his companions, martyrs at the same time...”[3] But as Antonio Borrelli writes, some scholars believe that the Defendens venerated in Italy is different from the martyr who was a member of the Theban Legion.[1]