Saint Minias | |
|---|---|
 Depiction inPalermo, Sicily | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | present-day Armenia |
| Died | 250 AD Florence, present-day Italy |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Majorshrine | San Miniato al Monte, Florence |
| Feast | 25 October[1] |
| Attributes | Depicted as a young prince holding a crown; crowned with a rod and palm; crowned with a lily, rod and palm; carrying his severed head[2] |
Saint Minias (died 250 AD), also known asMinas (Armenian:Մինաս) orMiniatus (Italian:Miniato), is venerated as the firstChristian martyr ofFlorence. The church ofSan Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him.[3] According to legend, he was anArmenian king or prince serving in theRoman Army – or making a penitentialpilgrimage to Rome[2] – who had decided to become ahermit near Florence.
He was denounced as aChristian and in 250 AD brought before EmperorDecius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to theRoman gods, and was put through numerous torments – he was thrown into a furnace, waslapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheatre – from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he wasbeheaded near the presentPiazza della Signoria,[2] but his legend states that hepicked up his own head. Miniato then crossed theArno and returned to hishermitage on the hill known asMons Florentinus (Monte di Firenze).[4]
Minias'relics rest in acrypt in the church dedicated to him, begun byAlibrando (Hildebrand),Bishop of Florence, in 1013 and endowed byHenry II, Holy Roman Emperor.[2]
The historicity of the saint is uncertain.[1] It is possible that there was a saint with this name who was martyred near the Arno.[1] He may simply have been a soldier who was executed for spreading Christianity in the army.[2]
His cult may also have arisen from the fact that arelic from a location in the East, such asEgypt, was brought to the church that would be known as San Miniato.[1]
The tradition of him picking up his own head—ahagiographictrope—[5] was first recorded byGiovanni Villani.[2]
