Saint of the Day – 12 April – St Damian of Pavia (Died c710) Bishop and Confessor, Defender of the Faith against heretics, Apostle of the poor and needy, In 679, Damian wrote a letter to Emperor Constantine IV on behalf of St Mansuetus, the Archbishop of Milan, against the heresy of Monothelitism. This letter, in a Latin edition, is the only extant writing from the hand of St Damian (sometimes attributed to St Mansuetus on whose behalf Damian was writing). Born in Lombardy, Italy and died in Pavia, Italy in c710 of natural causes. Co-Patronage – of Pavia together with St Syrus. Also known as – Damianus.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Pavia, St Damian, Bishop and Confessor.”
We have no sure information of his early years but we know that he became a Priest of the Church of Milan. In this capacity, he was distinguished for his erudition and his commitment to defending the Catholic Faith.
In 679, Damian composed an epistle on the Catholic Faith against the Monothelite heresy. This heresy maintained that there was only one will and one operation in Christ, denying His human nature. Damian’s epistle was sent by Emperor Constantine IV to the Third Council of Constantinople, where it was read and approved.
After the Council, Damian was elected as the Bishop of Pavia. In this Office, he worked with apostolic zeal for the conversion of the Lombards, still largely pagans or Arians. He led his Diocese with wisdom and firmness, promoting the reform of the Clergy and the construction of new Churches.
One of Damian’s major successes was the reconciliation of the Schism of Aquileia, known as the “Schism of the Three Chapters.” This schism which had lasted for over a century, divided the Eastern Church from the Western Church. In 698, thanks to Damian’s tireless work, the schism finally ended at the Council of Pavia.
It is said that during his Episcopate, Pavia was struck by a serious plague. Damian went to Rome to implore the Pope’s help. He obtained a Relic of the Martyr Saint Sebastian, to which he consecrated an Altar in the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli. The plague ceased immediately after the Consecration of the Altar.
Saint Damian died on 12 April 710 or 711. His body was buried in the Cathedral of Pavia, where he is still venerated today as the Patron Saint of the City.
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