Protasius (bishop of Milan)
Encyclopedia
Protasius was Archbishop of Milan from 328 to c. 343. He is honoured as a Saint
in the Catholic Church and his feast day is on November 24.
Athanasius of Alexandria
in his Apologia ad Constantium mentioned that Protasius was with him when he spoke to the Roman Emperor
Constantius II
: this episode can be dated about 342 or 343. In 343 Protasius attended the Council of Sardica
and signed its decrees, standing up against the Arian
s and supporting the faith of the Council of Nicaea
.
Protasius died in 343 on the 24 November, which remained as his feast day. His body was buried in Milan
in the Church of San Vittore al Corpo (Saint Victor Maurus
) where it is still venerated. A late tradition, with no historical basis, associates Protasius with the Milan's family of the Algisi.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
in the Catholic Church and his feast day is on November 24.
Life
Almost nothing is known about the life of Protasius. He was elected as bishop of Milan in 328 and reigned till about 343.Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria
Athanasius of Alexandria [b. ca. – d. 2 May 373] is also given the titles St. Athanasius the Great, St. Athanasius I of Alexandria, St Athanasius the Confessor and St Athanasius the Apostolic. He was the 20th bishop of Alexandria. His long episcopate lasted 45 years Athanasius of Alexandria [b....
in his Apologia ad Constantium mentioned that Protasius was with him when he spoke to the Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Constantius II
Constantius II
Constantius II , was Roman Emperor from 337 to 361. The second son of Constantine I and Fausta, he ascended to the throne with his brothers Constantine II and Constans upon their father's death....
: this episode can be dated about 342 or 343. In 343 Protasius attended the Council of Sardica
Council of Sardica
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sofia and Plovdiv is a Roman Catholic diocese of the Latin Rite, which includes the whole southern part of Bulgaria. The remainder of Bulgaria is comprised in the Diocese of Nicopoli. The seat of the episcopal see is in Plovdiv. The diocese is immediately subject of...
and signed its decrees, standing up against the Arian
Arian
Arian may refer to:* Arius, a Christian presbyter in the 3rd and 4th century* a given name in different cultures: Aria, Aryan or Arian...
s and supporting the faith of the Council of Nicaea
Council of Nicaea
Council of Nicaea can refer to:* First Council of Nicaea in AD 325* Second Council of Nicaea in AD 787* The Council of Nicaea * The Council of Nicaea...
.
Protasius died in 343 on the 24 November, which remained as his feast day. His body was buried in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
in the Church of San Vittore al Corpo (Saint Victor Maurus
Victor Maurus
Victor the Moor was a Christian martyr and is venerated as a saint. Victor, born into a Christian family, was a soldier in the Roman Praetorian Guard...
) where it is still venerated. A late tradition, with no historical basis, associates Protasius with the Milan's family of the Algisi.