St. Denis
Soon a fierce persecution of
Christians swept through Gaul, and many of the faithful were abused, tortured
or put to death. Saint Denis, fearless of danger and heedless of his own old
age, travelled among the Christians, visiting the prisoners and exhorting all
to remain firm in their confession of Christ. Soon he himself was arrested
along with several companions, and was tortured without pity. When he was
publicly hung on a cross, he preached to the onlookers of the mystery of
Christ's Passion. Taken back to prison, he celebrated the holy Eucharist for
the last time, enveloped in a heavenly light. He and a host of other Martyrs
were then beheaded on a hill -the highest point in the city- now called Montmartre [in
Old French ‘mountain of martyrs] in their memory.
On this mountain - now the Parisian suburb of St. Denis - stands the 19th-century Church of Sacre-Coeur and the Basilica of Saint Denis. In this icon painting of the saint, notice two buildings in the two upper corners: Sacre-Couer and Saint-Denis.
There is a tradition that at his execution he rose up, took his own head in his hands, and walked for several miles to a place that later became the Basilica of St Denis in the town named after him. Before the French Revolution, the Kings and Queens of France were buried in this church.
Online Donations
To make a secure, one-time or recurring gift for your Stewardship Pledge, Prayer Donations, and other donations , click the secure link above. For enhanced security and giving simplicity, create an account by clicking on the login/signup link in the top right corner after clicking the donate button above. May God bless you for your generosity!