Denis

Saint Denis of Paris
Saint Denis holding his head. Statue at the left portal of Notre Dame de Paris.
Bishop and Martyr
Born	3rd century AD Italy, Roman Empire
Died	c. 250, 258, or 270 Montmartre, Lutetia, Roman province of Gaul (modern day Paris, France)
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Anglican Communion
Major shrine	Saint Denis Basilica
Feast	9 October
Attributes	carrying his severed head in his hands; a bishop's mitre; city; furnace
Patronage	France; Paris; against frenzy, strife, headaches, hydrophobia, San Dionisio (Parañaque City), possessed people

According to Christian tradition, Saint Denis (also called Dionysius, Dennis, or Denys) is a Christian martyr and saint. In the third century, he was Bishop of Paris. He was martyred, with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, in connection with the Decian persecution of Christians, shortly after 250 AD. Denis is said to have picked his head up after being decapitated, walked ten kilometres (six miles), while preaching a sermon of repentance the entire way, making him one of many cephalophores in hagiology. He is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as patron of Paris, France, and as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. The medieval and modern French name "Denis" derives from the ancient name .

Gregory of Tours states that Denis was bishop of the Parisii and was martyred by being beheaded by a sword. The earliest document giving an account of his life and martyrdom, the "Passio SS. Dionysii Rustici et Eleutherii" dates from c. 600, is mistakenly attributed to the poet Venantius Fortunatus, and is legendary. Nevertheless, it appears from the Passio that Denis was sent from Italy to convert Gaul in the third century, forging a link with the "apostles to the Gauls" reputed to have been sent out with six other missionary bishops under the direction of Pope Fabian. There Denis was appointed first Bishop of Paris. The persecutions under Emperor Decius had all but dissolved the small Christian community at Lutetia. Denis, with his inseparable companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, who were martyred with him, settled on the Île de la Cité in the River Seine. Roman Paris lay on the higher ground of the Left Bank, away from the river.