Geminianus

St. Geminianus ( panel from the 14th century)

The holy Geminianus , it. San Geminiano or San Gimignano (* 4th century perhaps in Rome ; † January 31, 397 [?] In Modena ), was bishop of Modena in the 4th century . He is patron of the cathedral of Modena and patron of the cities of Modena, San Gimignano and Pontremoli .

Life

Giovanni Maria Parente , Vita di san Gimignano , 1495

The name Geminianus suggests origin from a city-Roman senatorial family .

The only reliable information about Geminianus' life and work concerns a northern Italian synod , which Ambrose of Milan convened in Milan in 390 to have Jovinian condemned as a false teacher. The Bishop of Modena attended this synod in person or by proxy. Like Ambrosius, he is said to have been a staunch opponent of Arianism .

His liturgical feast day, January 31, can be taken as the date of his death.

Adoration

The devotion to San Geminiano has been alive in Modena since the earliest times. The old tales of healing and exorcism associated with his name are evidently a reflection of an outstanding personality. Already in the 5th century there is evidence of a church above his grave, outside the city at that time by today's cathedral.

In the Middle Ages, Modena saw itself as Civitas Geminiana ("Geminianus City"). A translation legend of the 12th century tells of an examination of the saint's relics , which were miraculously proven to be real, and their transfer to the cathedral, where they remain to this day.

Another legend attributes the saint to the rescue of Modena from the invading Huns . His prayer caused the appearance of a heavy mist that forced the enemies to withdraw.

The veneration of the saint outside Modena testifies u. a. the Tuscan town of San Gimignano.

Individual evidence

↑ Ekkart Sauser names Geminianus in his article in the BBKL (see literature) with reference to P. Zerbi (article in the LThK , 2nd ed., IV (1960), Col. 658f.) Who is probably the second bishop of Modena. In the list of the bishops of Modena there are three Geminianus bishops for the 4th century (the fourth, sixth and eighth), two of whom are called saints, but precisely not the one from the time of the Milan Synod.

literature

Ekkart Sauser : Geminianus. In: Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL). Volume 16, Bautz, Herzberg 1999, ISBN 3-88309-079-4 , Sp. 559. ( Article / beginning of article in Internet archive )
P. Zerbi: Article in LThK , 2nd ed., Vol. IV (1960), Col. 658 f.

Web links

Commons : Geminianus - collection of images, videos and audio files

personal data
SURNAME	Geminianus
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Geminiano, Gimignano
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Italian bishop
DATE OF BIRTH	4th century
DATE OF DEATH	uncertain: January 31, 397
Place of death	Modena

[1] Ekkart Sauser names Geminianus in his article in the BBKL (see literature) with reference to P. Zerbi (article in the LThK , 2nd ed., IV (1960), Col. 658f.) Who is probably the second bishop of Modena. In the list of the bishops of Modena there are three Geminianus bishops for the 4th century (the fourth, sixth and eighth), two of whom are called saints, but precisely not the one from the time of the Milan Synod.