Protasius (bishop of Milan)

Protasius
Archbishop of Milan

Wall with the Urn of Saint Protasius
Church Catholic Church
Appointed 328 AD
Reign ended c. 343
Predecessor Maternus
Successor Eustorgius I
Personal details
Died c. 343
Sainthood
Feast day November 24
Venerated in Catholic Church
Shrines Oratorio di San Protaso

Protasius (Italian: Protaso) 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.[1]

Life

Almost nothing is known about the life of Protasius. He was elected as bishop of Milan in 328 and reigned till about 343.[2]

Athanasius of Alexandria in his Apologia ad Constantium[3] mentioned that Protasius was with him when he spoke to the Roman Emperor Constantius II: this episode can be dated about 342 or 343.[2] In 343 Protasius attended the Council of Sardica and signed its decrees, standing up against the Arians and supporting the faith of the Council of Nicaea.[4]

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.

Notes

  1. ^ Ruggeri, Fausto (1991). I Vescovi di Milano. Milano: NED. p. 9–10. ISBN 8870231542. (Italian)
  2. ^ a b Cazzani, Eugenio (1996). Vescovi e arcivescovi di Milano. Milano: Massimo. pp. 15. ISBN 887030891x. (Italian)
  3. ^ Athanasius. "Apologia ad Constantium, par 3". New Advent. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/2813.htm. Retrieved 17 October 2011. 
  4. ^ Pasini, Cesare (1992). "Protaso di Milano, santo (sec. IV)". Dizionario della Chiesa Ambrosiana. 5. Milano: NED. p. 2969–2971. ISBN 887023102X. (Italian)