Protasius of Milan

Holy Martyr Protasius of Milan was the twin brother of the Holy Martyr Gervasius and suffered in the time of the emperor Nero (54-68), in the same group as the Holy Martyrs Nazarius and Celsus.

Nazarius, son of a Christian woman, Perpetua, and a Jew, Africanus, was born in Rome and baptized by Bishop Linus. From youth he decided to devote his life to preaching the teaching of Christ and helping persecuted Christians. He left Rome for Milan and, visiting the Christians in the prison of Milan, met the twins Protasius and Gervasius. The twin brothers had been born in Milan, in the family of the rich Roman citizens Vitalis and Valeria. Left orphans (their parents had been killed for the Christian faith), the brothers shared their wealth among the poor, freed their slaves and struggled in fasting and prayer. For the confession of Christ the pagans shut them in prison. St Nazarius grew fond of the twins and eased their sufferings as he could; for this the pagans beat him and drove him from Milan. He went to Gaul, where he preached with success and turned many pagans. In the city of Cimiez he baptized the son of a Christian woman, Celsus, and, raising him, won himself a faithful disciple and companion in mission. For their preaching the pagans gave them to the beasts, which did not touch them; they tried to drown them in the sea, but they walked on the water as on dry land. The soldiers who carried out the execution were so amazed that they became Christians themselves and set them free.

Freed, Nazarius and Celsus returned to Milan and visited Gervasius and Protasius in prison. They were denounced to Nero, who ordered the heads of Nazarius and Celsus cut off; soon after, the brothers Gervasius and Protasius were also killed. Many years later, in the time of the emperor Theodosius, St Ambrose, bishop of Milan, learned by a revelation from above of the relics of the holy martyrs. Glorified by many healings, they were moved with honour to the cathedral of Milan.

St Protasius is commemorated on 27 October, in the new style.