Read about the story of Saint Dionysius, the first Bishop of Paris, who was tortured for defending his faith in the 3rd century.
Biography of Saint Denys
Our Father among Saints Dionysius of Paris, also known as Denis or Denys, was the first Bishop of Paris who was martyred and beheaded in the 3rd century in connection with the Walloon persecution of Christians in 258 AD, along with his two companions, the priest Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius, on Montmartre (Martyrs’ Hill), Paris, France.
Gregory of Tours says that Dionysius was bishop of Paris and was martyred by beheading with a sword. It seems that Dionysius was sent from Italy with five other bishops to convert Gaul in the 3rd century.
This was after persecutions under the Emperor Decius had almost destroyed the small Christian community in Lutetia. Dionysius and his inseparable companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, who were martyred with him, settled on the Île de la Cité on the Seine.
Of all the Roman missionaries sent to Gaul, St. Dionysius carried the faith deep into the country, establishing his headquarters at Paris, and by him and his disciples were founded the sees of Chartres, Senlis and Meaux, and soon after those of Cologne and others, which we find in the fourth century in a flourishing state and governed by excellent pastors.
Dionysius, having alarmed the pagan priests by his many conversions, was executed by beheading on the highest hill in Paris (now Montmartre), which was probably a Druidic sanctuary.
It is popularly believed that the martyrdom of Dionysius and his companions gave it its present name, derived from the Latin mons martyrium (‘mountain of the martyrs’), although it is more likely that the name comes from mons mercurei et mons martis, hill of Mercury and Mars.
After his head was cut off, Dionysius is said to have picked it up and walked ten kilometres from the top of Mont Mars or Montmartre, preaching all the way, making him one of the many cephalophores in hagiology.
According to another account, his body was thrown into the Seine, but it was recovered and buried with honour by a Christian woman called Catalla, not far from where he had been beheaded. Another saint who was tortured in Paris, but centuries later, was Saint Joan of Arc.
See the biography of Saint Dionysius in this video:
Saint Dionysius Day
The feast of Saint Dionysius is celebrated on 9 October. His veneration began shortly after his death. His body and those of Saints Eleutherius and Rusticus were buried on the site of his martyrdom. The abbey of Saint Denis, where the French kings were buried, was built on the site of his martyrdom. He is venerated as the patron saint of Paris, France.
The construction of the basilica named after the saint was begun by Saint Genevieve in 469 AD, with the help of the people of Paris.
The successor church was built by Saint Fulrad, who became abbot of the abbey of Saint Denis in 749 or 750 and was closely associated with the accession of the Carolingians to the Merovingian throne.
Over time, “Saint Denis”, often referred to as “Montjoie! Saint Denis!” became the battle cry of the French armies. The oriflama, which became the banner of France, was the flag enshrined on his tomb.
His devotion spread beyond France when Pope Stephen II, who was French, brought the cult of Saint Denis to Rome in 754. His cult soon spread throughout Europe.
The feast of Saint Denis was added to the Roman calendar by Pope Pius V in 1568, although it had been celebrated since at least 800.
Watch this video to find out more about the Basilica of St Dionysius:
Prayer to Saint Dionysius
O God, who entrusted Your saving faith to the people of France through Your holy bishop and martyr Dionysius, glorifying him before and after his martyrdom with many miracles?
Grant through his intercession that the faith which he practised and preached may be our light on the path of life, that we may be preserved from all the troubles of conscience.
And if we have sinned through human weakness, may we return to You quickly through true repentance, through Christ our Lord.
Glorious servant of God, St. Dionysius, having devoted yourself to Christ with intense love, having come to know Him through St. Paul the Apostle, and having proclaimed His saving name to the nations in order to bring them to His knowledge and love, you did not turn away from martyrdom.
Pray for my continued growth in the knowledge and love of Jesus, that my restless heart may know the peace that only He can give.
Help me, through your powerful intercession with God, to serve Him with a willing heart, to dedicate myself to His service with abiding love, and thus to attain the eternal bliss of heaven. Amen.
In this video we leave you with a prayer to St Dionysius for special requests:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec1GPrIRFns
Saint Dionysius enemy of witches
In traditional Roman Catholic practice, St Dionysius is venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Specifically, Dionysius is invoked against demonic possession and headaches, and is one of the patron saints of Paris, along with St Genevieve.
