Protasius (Italian: Protaso) was Archbishop of Milan. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church, with his feast day celebrated on 24 November, the day of his death.[1]
Protasius | |
---|---|
Archbishop of Milan | |
Church | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
Appointed | 328 AD |
Term ended | c. 343 |
Predecessor | Maternus |
Successor | Eustorgius I |
Personal details | |
Died | c. 343 |
Sainthood | |
Feast day | 24 November |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Lutheranism Anglicanism |
Shrines | Oratorio di San Protaso |
Almost nothing is known about the life of Protasius. He was elected bishop of Milan in 328, and served until his death, about 343.[2]
Athanasius of Alexandria, in his Apologia ad Constantium[3], mentioned that Protasius was with him when he spoke to the Roman Emperor Constantius II; this episode can be dated about 342 or 343.[4] 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.[2]
Protasius died about 343 on 24 November. His body was buried in Milan in the Church of San Vittore al Corpo (Saint Victor Maurus), where it is venerated still. A late tradition, with no historical basis, associates Protasius with a Milanese family, the Algisi.[4]