Saint Cassian

Legend

Cassian is thought to have been condemned to death during the persecution of Christians ordered by the Roman Emperor Diocletian (204-305 AD). A schoolmaster in Imola in the north of Italy, he refused to worship the Roman Gods and continued to teach Christianity. After his condemnation it was his students who bound him to a marble pillar and tortured him, stabbing him to death with their pointed slate pencils. According to Early Christian legend Cassian also served as bishop of Brescia or Säben convent near Brixen for a certain period. Although there is lack of historic evidence for this fact, it is known that he became patron saint of the Säben and Brixen diocesan churches in 845.

The relics of St. Cassian

The Brixen Cathedral was given the relic of an arm belonging to St. Cassian in 1704. An annual procession in memory of this great honour has been held ever since, during which the citizens of Brixen are also grateful for having been spared the ravages of war in the past centuries.

Interesting details

When Cassian’s tomb was opened in 2004, his skull injuries gave proof of his identity and his martyr death. Cassian is also the patron saint of Imola and Mexico City. He is further known as the patron of teachers and clerks.