Martinianus (bishop of Milan)

Martinianus
Archbishop of Milan

Relic of Saint Martinianus, Cathedral of Milan
Church Catholic Church
Appointed 423 AD
Reign ended 435
Predecessor Marolus
Successor Glycerius
Personal details
Died December 29, 435
Sainthood
Feast day January 2
Venerated in Catholic Church

Martinianus (or Martinus, Italian: Martiniano) was Archbishop of Milan from 423 to 435. He is honoured as a Saint in the Catholic Church and his feast day is January 2.

Life

A tradition associates Martinianus with the Roman family of the Hosii. According to the writings of Ennodius, bishop of Pavia in early 6th-century,[1] Martinianus was elected bishop of Milan notwithstanding he had no desire for that position due to his humility and fear.[2] He is mentioned in a letter written in 431 to Rufus of Thessalonica by the moderate Nestorian John of Antioch, who relates to have received from Martinianus the treatise De Incarnationis of Ambrose.[3]

Martinianus founded two churches in Milan, one of them, possibly founded in 417, was dedicated to both Saint Zechariah and Saint Stephen, and it is now known, after several reconstructions, as Basilica of Saint Stephen.[3]

Martinianus died on December 29, 435. His feast day was later postponed to the next January 2 due to the introduction of the Christmas' octave.[4] Martinianus was buried in the Basilica of Saint Stephen in Milan. In 1988 his body was translated to the Milan Cathedral and buried under the altar of Saint Agatha.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ Ennodius, Carmina II, 81
  2. ^ a b Ruggeri, Fausto (1991). I Vescovi di Milano. Milano: NED. p. 14–15. ISBN 8870231542. (Italian)
  3. ^ a b Cazzani, Eugenio (1996). Vescovi e arcivescovi di Milano. Milano: Massimo. pp. 25–26. ISBN 887030891x. (Italian)
  4. ^ Rimoldi, Antonio. "San Martiniano di Milano". Santi e Beati. http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/83340. Retrieved 27 Sept 2011. (Italian)