ON ST. DEFENDENS AND HIS COMPANION MARTYRS.
Under Diocletian.
CommentaryDefendens, Martyr of the Theban Legion (St.) Companions, Martyrs of the Theban Legion
[1] Ferrarius records the Martyr St. Defendens on January 2 in his general catalogue of Saints, Memory of St. Defendens and companions. in these words: "In the territory of Marseilles near the Rhône, St. Defendens the Martyr from the Theban Legion, under Maximian." Petrus Galesinius also on the same day: "In Gaul at the Rhône river, St. Defendens and many other soldiers who, under Emperor Maximian, were subjected to torments for Christ the Lord at that place, and attained the crown of martyrdom. On the bank of that river, the body of the Martyr Defendens was buried by St. Theodorus, Bishop of Marseilles, and a church was dedicated in his name." Galesinius states that the book of Bishop Theodorus himself, which contained the Acts of Defendens, Acts written by Bishop Theodorus. survives among the ancient records of the Church of Bergamo.
[2] The same Ferrarius, in his catalogue of the Saints of Italy, writes of him: "The memory of St. Defendens the Martyr is celebrated in many places in Italy, especially at Chivasso, a not insignificant town of the diocese of Turin near the Morgo river, which flows into the Po not far away; Relics of St. Defendens at Casale. at Casale Monferrato, the principal city; and at Novara. In these and other places, churches and altars are dedicated to him, and his relics are said to be preserved at Casale in the church of the Hermits."
[3] Neglect of Mass on his feast day punished. Concerning him, a miracle is also reported from the village of Odoleueo in the diocese of Casale: a certain man, who on the feast day of Defendens preferred to go hawking rather than hear Mass, and to cook the partridges he had caught, found that they immediately revived and flew away while he was struck blind. However, repenting of his deed and praying at the altar of the holy Martyr, he both obtained pardon and recovered his sight.
[4] Where he suffered is unknown, unless he is the same one whom they report was martyred near the Rhône river in the diocese of Marseilles, Where he suffered. together with others under Emperor Maximian, and buried by St. Theodorus, Bishop of Marseilles, with a church built there in his honor. Among those who record this is Petrus Galesinius in his Martyrology on this day, citing a manuscript codex of the Church of Bergamo. Although the author of the History of the Theban Martyrs printed at Turin makes this one different from that one, and thinks he suffered in Italy near Piedmont with others under the same Emperor, I for my part judge him to be the same as the one who suffered at the Rhône, since we have no evidence that he was a different person.