Denys was the bishop of Paris is the patron of France.
He was born in Italy and sent to convert Gaul with five other bishops. He
reached Paris and preached with great success, and established a Christian
centre on an island in the Seine.
His companions, Rusticus a priest and Eleutherius a deacon, were imprisoned
and beheaded with him on Montrmatre. Their bodies were recovered from the
Seine; and over their tomb was built the abbey of Saint Denis, later the
burial place of French kings.
Later in the 7th century his remains were transferred four miles north of
Paris where a famous Benedictine monastery was built to the saint.
Denis is chiefly remembered as the patron saint of France.
His feast day is
the 9th October.
Written and contributed by Phillip Lloyd.
