St. Bassianus

Bassianus
The body of Saint Bassianus in the crypt of Lodi Cathedral
Born	~320
Died	~409
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast	January 19
Attributes	deer; episcopal attire
Patronage	Lodi

Saint Bassianus of Lodi (Italian: San Bassiano; c. 320 – c. 409) was an Italian saint, the patron saint of Lodi and Pizzighettone in Italy.

Born in Syracuse, Sicily, to Sergius, prefect of the city, Bassianus was sent to Rome in order to complete his studies. There, he was converted to Christianity by a priest named Jordan (Giordano).

Bassianus's father, who wanted his son to apostatize, asked him to return to Syracuse. Bassianus refused and fled to Ravenna. When the bishop of Lodi died around 373, Bassianus was asked to succeed him. He built a church dedicated to the Apostles, consecrating it in 381 in the presence of Saint Ambrose and Saint Felix of Como. He participated in the Council of Aquileia in 381 and may perhaps have participated in the Council of Milan (390), in which Jovinian was condemned.

Bassianus's signature is found together with Ambrose's in a letter sent to Pope Siricius. In 397, Bassianus was present at the funeral of his friend Ambrose. Bassianus died in 409, perhaps on January 19, his feast day.

In 1158, when Milanese forces destroyed Lodi, his relics were taken to Milan. They were returned in 1163, when Lodi was rebuilt by Frederick Barbarossa.