Saint of the Day – 7 November – St Prosdocimus (2nd Century) the 1st Bishop and Confessor of Padua, Evangeliser, Miracle-worker. Patronage – of the City and Diocese of Padua, of Ascolo, Cittadella all in Italy. Also knowthe as – Prosdecimus, Prosdocimo.
The name Prosdocimo, although uncommon in Italy today, immediately suggests a Venetian origin, specifically Paduan. The Saint is honoured as the 1st Bishop of Padua, the Patron Saint of the City and too, according to various scholars, the likely evangeliser of all western Venice.
Even the most beautiful image of Prosdocimus was painted by a Paduan, the great 15th Century Painter, Andrea Mantegna. It is part of a polyptych dedicated to Saint Justina another famous Saint and Martyr of Padua. In this painting, Saint Prosdocimus appears with his characteristic attribute of a jug, a symbol of his tireless work as an evangeliser and work of Baptising.
The etymological meaning of the name Prosdocimus is very beautiful, as in Greek it means ‘the awaited one.’ It can be said that Saint Prosdocimus, the 1st Bishop of Padua, was truly awaited by that still pagan City, to which he was sent by Saint Peter himself after his Episcopal Consecration. In the gentle countryside, Prosdocimus is said to have performed prodigies and miracles.
Fortunately, a certain naiveté often lends a touch of poetry to even the most tired texts. Sometimes, however, scant documents are more eloquent than redundant legends. This is the case of Prosdocimus, for whom, after his death, an Ecclesia Sancti Prosdocimi, later known as the Basilica of Santa Giustina, one of the most beautiful in the City, is mentioned outside the walls of Padua.
Saint Prosdocimus’ glory was, in fact, Saint Justina, whose Feast Day is 7 October. Prosdocimus converted her and she kept her faith intact, facing Martyrdom during Nero’s persecution.
The Bishop of Padua, however, was spared, no-one knows exactly how or why. He reached the natural end of his life, laden with merit and years, loved as a father, venerated as a Saint: Saint Prosdocimus which, in Greek means ‘the awaited one.’
AnaStpaul 