Martinianus (bishop of Milan)

Martinianus (or Martinus, Italian: Martiniano) was Archbishop of Milan from 423 to 435. He is honoured as a Saint in the Catholic Church and his feast day is 2 January.

Life

A tradition associates Martinianus with the Roman family of the Hosii. According to the writings of Ennodius, bishop of Pavia in early 6th-century, Martinianus was elected bishop of Milan notwithstanding he had no desire for that position due to his humility and fear. He is mentioned in a letter written in 431 to Rufus of Thessalonica by the moderate Nestorian John of Antioch, who relates to have received from Martinianus the treatise De Incarnationis of Ambrose.

Martinianus founded two churches in Milan, one of them, possibly founded in 417, was dedicated to both Saint Zechariah and Saint Stephen, and it is now known, after several reconstructions, as Basilica of Saint Stephen.

Martinianus died on 29 December 435. His feast day was later postponed to the next 2 January, due to the introduction of the Christmas' octave. Martinianus was buried in the Basilica of Saint Stephen in Milan. In 1988 his body was translated to the Milan Cathedral and buried under the altar of Saint Agatha.