Gervasius and Protasius (disambiguation)

The names Gervasius and Protasius usually refer to the Italian martyrs of that name. However, the names can also refer to other people, who share it as a first name:

Gervase

Protase

Protasius (bishop of Milan)

Protasius (Italian: Protaso) was Archbishop of Milan. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church, with his feast day celebrated on November 24, the day of his death.

Life

Almost nothing is known about the life of Protasius. He was elected bishop of Milan in 328, and served until his death, about 343.

Athanasius of Alexandria, in his Apologia ad Constantium, mentioned that Protasius was with him when he spoke to the Roman Emperor Constantius II; this episode can be dated about 342 or 343. In 343, Protasius attended the Council of Sardica and signed its decrees, standing up against the Arians and supporting the faith of the Council of Nicaea.

Protasius died about 343 on November 24. His body was buried in Milan in the Church of San Vittore al Corpo (Saint Victor Maurus), where it is venerated stll. A late tradition, with no historical basis, associates Protasius with a Milanese family, the Algisi.

Notes