Defendens

Saint Defendens the Martyr was, according to Christian tradition, a soldier of the Theban Legion and received the crown of martyrdom at Agaunum (today Saint-⁠Maurice), in the time of the emperor Maximian, about 287. He is venerated as a martyr in the Catholic Church, and his commemoration is on 2 January. He is venerated as a soldier saint.

The soldiers of the Theban Legion suffered together. Defendens is widely venerated in northern Italy, especially at Chivasso, Casale Monferrato, Novara and Lodi. Evidence of this cult dates from as early as 1328. His feast was celebrated in these cities on 2 January, and oratories, altars and confraternities were dedicated to him. He is also venerated at Marseille; the Catholic Encyclopedia states that several saints belong in a particular way to Marseille, among them the soldier Defendens and his companions, martyrs at the same time. Antonio Borrelli writes, however, that some scholars believe the Defendens venerated in Italy is different from the martyr of the Theban Legion.

An oratory is dedicated to him at Solto Collina, and churches at Clusone (San Defendente) and at Invorio. Until 1476, according to the Martyrology of 1578 by Pietro Galesino, his relics were kept in the church of Santa Croce in Casale Monferrato, which suggests that his martyrdom may have taken place in that region. The painter Defendente Ferrari, born at Chivasso, where Defendens was venerated, bears the baptismal name of this martyr. He is depicted in soldier's dress, with the palm of martyrdom in his hand, and believers pray to him against wolves and fire.