Denis

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Saint Denis, also known as Denise, Dionysius, or Dennis is a Christian saint, bishop of Paris, martyr, and a patron saint of France. He died around 250.

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Gregory of Tours simply states of Denis that he was bishop of the Parisii and was martyred by being beheaded by a sword: (Beatus Dionysius Parisiorum episcopus diversis pro Christi nomine adfectus poenis praesentem vitam gladio immente finivit, ). The earliest document giving an account of his life and martyrdom (Passio SS. Dionysii Rustici et Eleutherii), dating from ca 600 A.D. and wrongly attributed to the poet Venantius Fortunatus, is already embroidered with legend. Nevertheless, it appears that Denis was sent from Italy to convert Gaul in the 3rd century, (probably under the direction of Pope Fabian, 236 - 250) after the persecutions under Emperor Decius had all but dissolved the small Christian community at Lutetia (Paris). Denis with his inseparable companions, the priest Rusticus and the deacon Eleutherius, who were martyred with him, settled on the Ile de la Cité in the Seine.

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He was executed by beheading on the highest hill near Paris (now Montmartre), which being the highest hill in the area was also likely to have been a druidic holy place. The martyrdom of Denis and his companions gave the name of Montmartre, in French literally the mountain of the martyr. According to the Golden Legend, after his head was chopped off, St Denis picked it up and walked several miles, all the time preaching a sermon. The site where he stopped preaching and actually died was made into a small shrine that developed into the Saint Denis Basilica, which became the burial place for the Kings of France.

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This walk has led to St Denis being depicted in art as headless, holding his mitred head in his hands. Handling the halo in this circumstance offers a unique challenge for the artist. Some put the halo where the head used to be; others have St Denis carrying the halo along with the head.

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His feast day is October 9.

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Christian: :This article is about the religious people known as Christians; for the 1980s British music group, see The Christians.For other uses of the term Christian, see Christian (disambiguation)....

Saint: In general, the term Saint refers to someone who is exceptionally virtuous and holy. It can be applied to both the living and the dead and is an acceptable term in most of the world's popular religions. The Saint is held up by the community as an example of how we all should act, and his or her life...

Bishop of Paris: REDIRECT Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Paris...

Denis related Images and Photos (experimental)

Denis Diderot	St. Denis Altarpiece	Portrait of Denis Diderot (1713-84) 1767	Roast of Denis Leary Uncensored
La Porte St. Denis Paris 1880	Portrait of Denis Diderot (1713-1784)	Elevating Machine Steam Denis Papin (Reconstruction)	Paris Rue St. Denis: Celebration of June 30 1878
The Rue Saint-Denis Celebration of June 30 1878	View of the Porte St. Denis from "Promenades Dans Paris Et Ses Environs " circa 1840	View of the Porte St. Denis and the Boulevard De Bonne Nouvelle	Comedian Denis Leary with Wife Ann Lembeck at Film Premiere for Remake of "The Thomas Crown Affair"