Diocese of Milano remembers Santi Dionigi, vescovo, e compagni, martiri

The Diocese of Milano commemorates Saint Dionigi, bishop, and his companions, martyrs.

Dionigi was one of seven bishops sent from Rome to the Gallie at the time of Decio in 250 to bring the Gospel. He worked in the central area around the emerging Paris, where he organized the first Christian community. The Church of Paris honors him as its first bishop for his martyrdom by decapitation alongside the priest Eleuterio and the deacon Rustico.

The site where Dionigi suffered martyrdom later saw the construction of a basilica and the Saint-Denis monastery complex. The area was named Montmartre, from the Latin Mons Martyrum, meaning hill of martyrs. Dionigi is recognized as the founder of the Church of France.