Saint Gervasius the Martyr
A Christian of Mediolanum (modern Milan) who, according to tradition, was beheaded for his faith together with Protasius, Nazarius and the young Celsus.
Biography
Gervasius and his fellow ascetic Protasius lived in Mediolanum (modern Milan), where they met the itinerant missionary Nazarius. Together they preached the Gospel with great success, drawing believers from both the common people and the upper classes.
According to tradition, Gervasius and Protasius were arrested first; when Nazarius later returned to Mediolanum - having in the meantime won over the young Celsus to the faith in Gaul - he too was arrested. The prefect Anullinus, seeing that they would not change their minds, had them all beheaded together.
The relics of Gervasius and Protasius were discovered in 386 by Saint Ambrose on the outskirts of Milan, who had them translated with honor; the two saints have since been regarded as patrons of the city.