Today's Saints (October 9): Denys, Rusticus & Eleutherius, Martyrs (d. 258)

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Denys, or Dennis, (a.k.a. Dionysius of Paris) was born in Italy around the third century.

He was made a bishop and sent to Gaul, along with five other bishops, to evangelize the indiginous people there.

He then established a Christian community on an island in the Seine. Today that place is known as the town of Paris.

Denys was successful in bringing innumerable Parisian folk to Christ; however, he and his companions - Rusticus a priest and Eleutherius a deacon - encountered extreme opposition, which ultimately led to their imprisonment and beheading during the persecutions under Valerius.

Their martyrdom took place at a place now called "Montemartre," or "Martyrs' Hill," where Denys' body was thrown in the River Seine, but later recovered by his converts.

Their faithfulness is a strong testimony to all who would follow Christ. May we be as bold in our life and witness and they were, remembering that cowardice is not a characteristic of God's Saints.

Denys' patronage includes intercessions against frenzy, strife, and a bit "peculiarly" headaches. He's also the Patron of Paris.

"And I say unto you, my friends: Be not afraid of them that kill the body" - Luke 12:4. (From the day's communion verse, page E 123, The People's Anglican Missal).

The above gothic statue of Denys is made of limestone and resides in the Musée de Cluny.

The Day's Propers
Catholic Encyclopedia article

Books Worth Considering
The Treasury of Saints and Martyrs
Fox's Book of Martyrs
Their Blood Cries Out
Reason Is Beguiled: On the Mystery of Martyrdom and of Total Self Gift
By Their Blood: Christian Martyrs of the Twentieth Century
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The Oxford Dictionary of Saints (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Penguin Dictionary of Saints: Third Edition (Dictionary, Penguin)

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