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]
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.