Bassianus of Lodi

Bassianus of Lodi (Italian: Bassiano di Lodi, Latin: Bassianus Laudensis; c. 320 – 413) was an Italian saint, the patron saint of Lodi and Pizzighettone in Italy.

Bassianus
Born~320
Died~413[1]
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
FeastJune 10
Attributesdeer; episcopal attire
PatronageLodi

Biography

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 priest named Jordan (Giordano).

Bassianus's 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. He participated in the Council of Aquileia in 381[1] and may perhaps have participated in the Council of Milan (390), in which Jovinian was condemned.

Bassianus's 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 413.[1]

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, and enshrined in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lodi.[2]

Bassianus is the patron saint of Lodi. His feast day is January 19, the occasion of the St. Bassianus’ Fair in Lodi.[2]

References
  1. Paulinus of Milan. Life of Saint Ambrose, (Mary Simplicia Kaniecka, trans.), Arx Publishing, LLC, 2020, p. 54, n.5
  2. Cambielii, P., "Lodi Celebrates St. Bassianus", Dooid Magazine, January 2019
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