Saint Bassianus of Lodi
Originally from Sicily, Saint Bassianus was baptized in Ravenna before becoming Bishop of Lodi at the beginning of the 5th century. He is famous for protecting a doe from hunters and for resurrecting a child who died from a viper bite. He is the patron saint of the city of Lodi.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
3 reading sections
SAINT BASSIANUS, BISHOP OF LODI (413).
Departure from Sicily and first miracle
Bassien leaves Sicily for Ravenna to be baptized and protects a doe and her fawns from a hunter who ends up possessed.
Leaving Syracuse and Sicily, his homeland, while still young to come and be baptized in Ravenna, he encountered a doe and her two fawns pursued by hunters. The panicked mother came to huddle with her two little ones near Bassien . One o f the hunters, having wanted to kill these animals despite the traveler who was protecting them, suddenly became possessed by the demon. Is this not a figure of the protection with which the Saint, having become bishop, would later cover the weak?
The resurrection of the child
In his episcopal city, the saint resurrects a child who died from a viper bite, thus establishing his iconographic attributes.
The city of Cervia claims that this event took place not far from its walls, and it is said that it placed a stag in its coat of arms to perpetuate the memory of it. Another tra it of kindnes s is also told of Saint Bassian, which was at the same time proof of his eminent holiness: he was in prayer in the church of his episcopal city when the body of a child who had just died from the bite of a viper was brought to him. The Saint made the crowd leave and prostrated himself again before the altar to obtain life for the little deceased, who, indeed, began to move and let out a cry calling for his mother. She ran up, and all the people followed. This is why a doe and a child have been given as attributes to Saint Bassian.
Places of worship and patronages
The saint is honored in several cities of Northern Italy, particularly in Lodi, of which he is the principal patron.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Bassianus of Lodi
Frequently asked questions about Saint Bassianus of Lodi
Who was Saint Bassianus of Lodi?
Originally from Sicily, Saint Bassianus was baptized in Ravenna before becoming Bishop of Lodi at the beginning of the 5th century. He is famous for protecting a doe from hunters and for resurrecting a child who died from a viper bite. He is the patron saint of the city of Lodi.
What is Saint Bassianus of Lodi the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Bassianus of Lodi: Lodi and Cervia.
How is Saint Bassianus of Lodi depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Bassianus of Lodi is recognizable by: hind and child.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Bassianus of Lodi?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Exorcism, Protection / deliverance and Resurrection.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Bassianus of Lodi?
Contemporaries include: Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Honoratus of Arles, Saint James of Tarentaise and Saint Jerome of Stridon.
When did Saint Bassianus of Lodi die?
Saint Bassianus of Lodi died around 413.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Departure from Syracuse to Ravenna
- Baptism in Ravenna
- Protection of a doe and her fawns from hunters
- Election as Bishop of Lodi
- Resurrection of a child bitten by a viper