Saint Protasius of Milan

Biography

Saint Protasius of Milan, also known as Protasius Algisi or Protasio, was born in the early 4th century to a noble family in Italy. He was ordained a priest and eventually became the Bishop of Milan in the year 330, a position he held until his death over 20 years later. One of the notable aspects of Saint Protasius' life was his support for Saint Athanasius of Alexandria in his fight against the Arians. The Arians were a heretical group that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, and Saint Protasius stood firm with Athanasius in opposing this false teaching. In 343, he attended the synod of Sardica, where he used his platform to speak out against Arianism and defend the orthodox Christian faith. Saint Protasius' dedication to the orthodox faith went beyond mere theological debates. He devoted himself to the spiritual well-being of his flock and worked tirelessly to promote the true teachings of the Church. As a bishop, he guided the faithful in Milan, leading them in faith, teaching, and promoting Christian virtues. Saint Protasius was well-respected and revered by his contemporaries, including Saint Augustine of Hippo. It is said that he witnessed a miracle at the tomb of Saint Protasius, where a blind child was miraculously cured. This event served as a testament to Saint Protasius' sanctity and the power of his intercession even after his death. Saint Protasius died in the year 352 in Milan, Italy, of natural causes. He was interred in the church of San Vittore in Milan, where his tomb became a place of pilgrimage for the faithful seeking his intercession. Many miraculous cures were reported to have occurred at his tomb, further solidifying his reputation as a saint. Although Saint Protasius's representation is unknown, his memory is honored on November 24th, the day of his feast. His canonization took place before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, thus making him a saint of the Pre-Congregation era. While Saint Protasius may not have been assigned a specific patronage, his life serves as an inspiration to all believers, reminding them of the importance of steadfastly defending the truth of the faith and living virtuous lives as faithful followers of Christ.