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Saint Denis. Who was Saint-Denis, the first bishop of Paris ?

In ancient mythology, Saint Denis (Dyonis) was the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele, daughter of the Theban king Cadmos and Harmonia. He was, therefore, one of the second generations of Olympian gods. Semele met her end thanks to the jealous Hera, who made her ask Zeus to show himself in godlike form. Zeus appeared to her, surrounded by lightning and thunder, and thus caused her death. However, Zeus managed to save his unborn child and sewed it into his thigh, from which he conceived Dionysus.

Historical sources say Saint-Denis was, according to tradition, the first bishop of Paris. He is considered one of the 14 saints’ helpers, depicted as holding his head in his hand, referring to his martyrdom in the 3rd century. The basilica of Saint-Denis in northern Paris is the royal necropolis of France. 

But, Saint-Denis His writings, small in size, have a particularly profound theological content. Perhaps no other patristic author has enjoyed greater attention than he, both in the Orthodox East and the Catholic and Protestant West.

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What did St. Denis do to become a saint?

Tutelary Saint of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint-Denis remains reasonably obscure. Numerous excellent texts summon his suffering. What do we are aware of in personality of Denis? Did he live in the first or third 100 years of our period?

The story of Denis’ life and energy made him a saint through his martyrdom. Composed and modified all through the Middle Ages by numerous progressive biographers, who, bit by bit, changed history into legend. Early forms present Saint-Denis as the primary cleric of Paris, yet don’t match the time in which he lived. These inconsistencies worked up the debate for a long time…

But, per the most established Passion, composed around 500, Denis was sent from Rome to Gaul as a preacher diocesan by Pope Saint Clement, a replacement for the Apostle Peter, who was in work from 92 to 101.

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Biography of Saint-Denis

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What is Saint-Denis the patron saint of?

The story and history of Denis. St. Denis (also known as St. Denys) is the benefactor of France, where he taught the Gospel and in whose capital city he endured suffering. Denis (or Denys) was brought up in Italy. Pope St. Merciful sent Denys as a preacher to France. He made his base of evangelist movement on an island (Île de la Cité) in the Seine close to the city of Lutetia Parisorium, which at last became the city of Paris. 

Holy person Denis is the patron saint of France and Headaches. Implications, definition, and beginnings – a supporter is viewed as a safeguard of a particular gathering or a country. There is a benefactor for every reason, calling, or exceptional interest. 

There are two classes of holy people: saints and questioners. Questioners are individuals who pass on regular passings. Date of Death: Saint-Denis passed on in A.D. 272. Reason for Death: Beheaded.

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Why is St. Denis important to the French?

Also, Denis of Paris was a third-century Christian saint and holy person. As per his hagiographies, he was a priest of Paris (then, at that point, Lutetia) in the third hundred years and, along with his associates Rusticus and Eleutherius, was martyred for his confidence by execution

St Denis came to be viewed as the most important supporter and holy person of the French public because he turned into the commonplace rallying call of the French militaries. But, the oriflamme, which turned into the norm of France, was the flag sanctified upon his burial chamber.

Therefore, his adoration spread past France when, in 754, Pope Stephen II carried reverence of Saint-Denis to Rome. So before long, his cultus was pervasive all through Europe. So Abbot Suger eliminated the relics of Denis. And also those related to Rustique and Eleuthére, from the grave to live under the high particular stepped area of the Saint-Denis he remade, 1140-44.

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Key Verse related to Saint-Denis

“Indeed, reform or no reform, he never ceased to promote the interests of St. Denis and the Royal House of France with the same naive, and also in his case not entirely unjustified, the conviction of their identity. Indeed, with those of the nation and with the Will of God as a modern oil or steel magnate may promote legislation favorable to his company. And also to his bank as something beneficial to the welfare of this country and the progress of mankind.”
Erwin Panofsky, Perspective as Symbolic Form

Saint Denis

Why does Saint-Denis hold his head?

The holy person Denis (additionally called Dionysius, Dennis, or Denys) is a Christian saint and religious person. He was martyred regarding the Decian abuse of Christians soon after A.D. 250. 

According to historical scholars, Saint-Denis held his head because, as indicated by the legend, the carcass rose once more after his execution and conveyed the authority for some distance.

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Who beheaded St. Denis?

Therefore, in The Golden Legend’s record of the passing of Saint-Denis, the holy person gathered his cut-off head and strolled an apparent distance with it after his beheading.

As the story saint indicates, Denis was beheaded by God’s fortune. After Saint-Denis, otherwise called Saint Dionysius, had been guillotined by a sword, his body “instantly . . . stood up, took his head in its arms, and, with a holy messenger and a grand light driving the way, walked two miles, from the spot called Montmartre, the slope of saints, to the spot where, voluntarily and by God’s fortune, he finds happiness in the hereafter.”

The nunnery church of Saint-Denis was subsequently raised where Saint-Denis was buried. 

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What did Saint-Denis study?

Paul, standing amid the Areopagus, said, (…) And hearing of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked him, and others said to him: We will hear you about this again. So Paul went out from among them. And some men, joining themselves to him, believed, among whom was Denis.

Denis was instructed and learned the mysteries of philosophy, both at home and in the famous schools of the city. He also had a good knowledge of astronomy. While he was in Egypt, the crucifixion of the Saviour was taking place in Jerusalem. According to tradition, when Dionysius saw the heavens darkening at an unusual time of day, he would have uttered the following words: “Either God suffers, or this seen world ends.”

Also, returning to Athens, the wise Dionysius became a prominent member of the Areopagus. Thus, he took part in the sermon given in the Areopagus by the Holy Apostle Paul.

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Prayer to St. Denis

“Goodness teaching you and encouraging you in all things, dressing with a sound mind, you have brought out of the vessel of the election the unsearchable; and keeping the faith, the way you have done, Holy Martyr Dionysius: pray to Christ God to save our souls.

The Israelites, having passed through the water as on the dry ground and escaped from the wickedness of Egypt, cried out: Let us sing to our Saviour and our God.

Bright bridegroom, thou hast shown thyself to the Incarnation above all thought, the Maker of all; 

Filling yourself with the lofty knowledge of the holiest Godly names, you theologized the ability of the Godhead, making yourself, by God’s grace, a speaker of the Most Holy Trinity, Most Blessed Denis.

Amen.

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Primary Takeaways

  • Also, Saint Dionysius the Areopagite is the first patristic author to leave us a hierarchy of the heavenly bodies. But, in the first step, which is the highest, are the Thrones, the Cherubim, and the Seraphim. The second step includes The Estates, the Lordships, and the Powers, and in the third tier, we find the Initiates, the Archangels, and the Angels.
  • After appointing another bishop for Athens, he went to Rome. From here, he would go to Gaul at the urging of St. Clement, Bishop of Rome. He built a church in Paris and converted many pagans to Christianity. 
  • When King Dagobert I eliminated his relics to the famous Abbey of St. Denis, established by him in his honor, the holy person turned into a supporter of the French government, and his name was the rallying call of the French militaries. 

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Conclusion

So he showed up in Paris with two devotees, Rusticus and Éleutherius Denis, fabricated the main house of prayer, taught individuals, and changed them to Christianity. Therefore in those seasons of abuse of Christians, the Roman specialists quickly saw his activity. So afterward, Christians also chose to assemble a basilica over his burial chamber. Notwithstanding, as per archeologists, they don’t date from the prior hundred years yet from the late fourth hundred years.

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Quizlet about Saint-Denis and The Other Saints

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Bibliography

  • Gerson, P. L. (Ed.). (1986). Abbot Suger and Saint-Denis: A Symposium. Metropolitan Museum of art.
  • Spiegel, G. M. (1975). The cult of Saint-Denis and Capetian kingship. Journal of medieval history1(1), 43-69.
  • Ernould, S., Walters, H., Alessandri, J. L., Llanas, B., Jaffar, M. C., Robin, S., … & Combes, J. C. (2008). Chikungunya in paediatrics: epidemic of 2005-2006 in Saint-Denis, Reunion Island. Archives de pediatrie: organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie15(3), 253-262.
  • Buc, P. (1997). Conversion of Objects: Suger of Saint-Denis and Meinwerk of Paderborn. Viator28, 99-144.
  • Le Gall, J. M. (2007). Le mythe de Saint Denis: entre renaissance et révolution. Editions Champ Vallon.