Bishop
Saint Bassianus, Bishop of Lodi, was from a young age a wise and virtuous man. His father, Sergius, was a pagan. When he sent him to Rome to study philosophy, the saint encountered Christian teaching and came to believe in the truth of the Gospel. A presbyter, sent by the Lord, found him and baptized him. After his baptism, the saint began to live an ascetic life, devoting himself to prayer and strict fasting.
When he returned home, the servants noticed his self-control and suspected that he had embraced Christianity. They informed his father, who, filled with sorrow, tried to change his mind. However, the saint, following the teaching of Saint John the Theologian, fled to Ravenna, where he was received by Bishop Ursus.
There he became known for his miracles, healing the sick and helping all those in need. On one occasion, he saved the local judge from a deadly attack, as the sword of the man who sought to kill him repeatedly slipped from his hands. After this event, the people of the city began to venerate Bassianus as a saint.
At the request of the clergy, he was ordained a priest and later became a bishop. He built a church in honor of the Holy Apostles and performed many miracles, including the raising to life of a boy who had died from a snakebite.
Saint Bassianus cared devotedly for his flock and maintained close contact with Saint Ambrose of Milan. After the latter’s death, he continued to serve God and people for ninety years.
He died during the reign of Honorius and was buried with honors.
After his death, many miracles and healings occurred at his tomb, confirming his holiness.
