San Defendente
San Defendente, the Christian martyr who refused to sacrifice to the Roman emperor
San Defendente is a Christian martyr who was put to death under the Roman emperor Massimiano because he refused to sacrifice to the emperor's cult and renounce Christianity. The killing of San Defendente and his companions allegedly took place near Agauno, not far from the Rhone, where the legion was camped before being sent to fight the Gauls in France. San Defendente's reputation as a courageous and devoted martyr has led many believers to venerate and honor him as a saint.
The cult of San Defendente
The cult of San Defendente became particularly widespread starting from the 14th century, especially in northern Italy, and in particular in the cities of Chivasso, Casale Monferrato, Novara, (Mescia d'Invorio), Lodi, Acqui Terme, Cassinelle and others. Various churches and places are said to house the Saint's relics: Cassinelle in the province of Alessandria, Cassolnovo in the province of Pavia, Gagnone, a hamlet of Druogno in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola province. San Defendente is also revered as the patron saint of many places in Italy: Beccara, a hamlet of Rosazza (province of Biella), Bigiardi, a hamlet of Bruzolo (province of Turin), Bocciolaro, a hamlet of Cravagliana (VC), Bosco, a hamlet of Cellio con Breia (VC), Bottorno, a hamlet of Balmuccia (VC) (a closed oratory), Briccarello, a hamlet of Cortazzone (at), Caliogna, a hamlet of Melazzo (AL), Cartiglia, a hamlet of Borgosesia (VC), and many others. The Saint is typically depicted as a Roman soldier with the martyr's palm in one hand and is invoked against the danger of wolves and fires.
San Defendente, co-patron and patron saint of many Italian places
San Defendente is the co-patron and patron saint of many places in Italy, including Cassinelle (AL), co-patron, Cassolnovo (PV), co-patron, Castiglione, a hamlet of Asti, Ceresolo, a hamlet of Laveno-Mombello, (VA), Cheggino, a hamlet of Armeno, Chuchal, a hamlet of Fontainemore (AO), Cimenasco, a hamlet of Castagneto Po (TO), Colma (Biella), a hamlet of Andorno Micca (province of Biella), Elevaz, a hamlet of Pré-Saint-Didier (AO), Franchini, a hamlet of Altavilla Monferrato (AL), Gabiano Monferrato (AL) (province of Alessandria), Mantegna, a hamlet of Varallo Sesia, Mescia, a hamlet of Invorio, Montemarzo, a hamlet of Asti, Monte San Defendente, municipality of Perledo, Premolo (BG), co-patron, Rivò, a hamlet of Coggiola (BI), Romano di Lombardia (BG), celebrated on September 14 with its own septenary, Ronago (Province of Como), co-patron, Ronco, a hamlet of Pella (Italy), San Defendente, a hamlet of Cervasca (province of Cuneo), San Defendente, a hamlet of Cruppi-Domodossola (VB), San Defendente, a hamlet of Ferrere (AT) (province of Asti), San Defendente, a hamlet of Pavarolo (province of Turin), San Defendente, a hamlet of Roncola (Italy) (BG), Taponaccio, a hamlet of Cervatto (VC), Torre di Bairo (province of Turin), celebrated on the 4th Sunday of August, Vallumida, a hamlet of Montegrosso d'Asti, Vico Canavese (province of Turin), co-patron, Valle di Sopra, a hamlet of Marene (CN), and a chapel in the municipality of Vinadio (CN) dedicated to San Defendente.
San Defendente is a much-loved and revered saint in Italy, where he is invoked as a protector against fire and the danger of wolves. His reputation as a courageous martyr and devotion to the Christian faith still attracts many believers who turn to him for comfort and protection.
