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St. Benignus
of Dijon
Died - Third century martyr
Feastday - 1 November
Statue
created - c. 1667-1668
This statue was installed between
May 1667 and July 1668.
Sculptor
- Francesco Mari
Attributed to him since he was paid for
two statues from August 1667 to February 1668.
Height
- 3.1 m. (10ft 4in) travertine
This statue is
stylistically approachable to St Apollonius (33). The position
of the arms is derived from the barbarians on the Arch of
Constantine. The
saint wears a turban, and is identified with oriental clothing.
St
Benignus was honored as a martyr, and first herald of
Christianity to Dijon.
According to legend, he was sent to Galilee as a missionary
by St Polycarp of Smyrna, and martyred in Dijon under
Aurelian. But this account does not have a historical basis.
The Roman Martyrology states that, at Dijon, he was venerated
as a priest and martyr.
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Saints on North Colonnade
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Saints on North Colonnade
Below Apostolic Palace
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41. Pontian
40. Columba
39. Mamas
38. Malchus
37.
Benignus
36. Barbara
35. Fausta
34. Candida
33. Apollonius
32. Didymus |
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Sources:
Roma Sacra - San Pietro in Vaticano, Itineraries 21-22, ©Fabbrica
of St. Peter's, July 2001
Le Statue Berniniani del Colonnato di San Pietro by Valentino
Martinelli ©1987 by de Luca
Editore
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Contact:
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