337–417
Saint Zenobius of Florence
A Greek rhetorician who became the first bishop of Florence and has since been honored as the city's patron saint.
Biography
Zenobius came from Greece and taught rhetoric as a sophist in Florence. He embraced the Christian faith despite the fierce opposition of his parents, who themselves were eventually baptised, and he was elected the first bishop of Florence.
He formed a spiritual friendship with Saint Ambrose of Milan and Pope Damasus, who sent him to Constantinople over the question of Arianism. He was renowned for the gift of working miracles and died in peace, honored ever since as the patron saint of Florence.