Bassian of Lodi

Holy Hierarch Bassian of Lodi was bishop of the city of Lodi in Lombardy, a friend and companion of Saint Ambrose of Milan. He lived in the fourth and fifth centuries and reposed in the year 409, after thirty-⁠five years as bishop.

Youth

He came from a noble family of Sicily. His father governed the Syracuse region and was preparing his son to succeed him, so he sent him to Rome for studies. From childhood Bassian had heard of the Christians and wanted to know them better. The priest Gordian explained to him the teaching of Christ, and the young man asked for Baptism. During the Sacrament Bassian saw beside the font an angel holding the garment in which the newly baptized was to be clothed. He asked who he was, and the angel answered that he had long ago been sent to help him fulfill his holy desire to know Christ, and then became invisible.

He began to lead a strict life: he ate little and spent his nights in prayer. The servants wondered at his fasting and guessed that their master had become a Christian, and they told his father. The father ordered him brought back to Syracuse. While praying in the church of Saint John the Theologian, Bassian received from the apostle the command to leave Rome. He gave his property to the poor and departed with a faithful Christian slave to Ravenna, to his relative Bishop Ursus.

Bishop of Lodi

Ursus settled him in a secluded place outside the city, beside the church of Saint Apollinaris. Bassian grew quickly in spirit and became known for miracles. Once the judge of Ravenna, falsely accused, was condemned to death. On the way to the execution he called on Bassian's help in prayer. When the executioner raised the sword it fell from his hand and flew aside; this happened three times, and the same with another executioner. The emperor was informed and set the judge free, and the judge told how the saint's prayers had saved him.

The inhabitants, convinced that his prayers were powerful before God, asked Ursus to ordain him priest. After the death of the bishop of Lodi, in Liguria, the priest Clement of the cathedral received a revelation to choose Bassian. The ordination was performed by Saint Ambrose of Milan together with Ursus. The saint taught people not only by word but by the example of his life. At Lodi he built a fine church in the name of the Holy Apostles. He often exchanged letters with Ambrose, was present at his blessed departure and buried his body.

Bassian reposed in peace in the year 409, after thirty-⁠five years as bishop, and is commemorated on 23 June, in the new style.