Geminiano, Saint

GEMINIANO, Saint. - Bishop of Modena in c. 344-96. In all probability he is the same Geminianus episcopus who in 390 at the Council of Milan charged the priest Apro to sign the decree condemning Jovinian. His distinguished holiness and apostolic zeal are remembered in a lively and constant tradition, but the oldest Lives, not earlier than the 8th century, are legendary, modeled on that of St. Zeno of Verona. From archaeological excavations it is proven that an ancient basilica soon arose over his tomb, not far from the present one. On April 30, 1106, according to the account of a contemporary author, the tomb was transferred to the present Cathedral, begun in 1099; on October 7, the sepulcher having been opened, "Corpus eius integrum et illibatum aspicitur"; on the 8th, honored with gifts from Countess Matilda and from the bishop of Modena, Dodone, the body was enclosed in the tomb, which Pope Paschal II consecrated as an altar. On July 12, 1184, as recorded in a contemporary inscription, Lucius III "ipsius corpore ostenso, ecclesiam beati Geminiani consecravit". Further testimonies of cult in Modena: the arm of the Saint, in a silver reliquary; sculptures by Wiligelmo (1099-1106) and by Agostino Duccio (1442); parchments of the Capitular Archive from the 8th century (P. E. Vicini, Regetto,

I, p. 3 ff.), mentioning the Saint, or the tomb, or concerning donations in his honor, or indulgences granted by the pontiffs to those who visit his tomb (P. Galavotti, Regesto dei documenti di indulgenze elargite alla Chiesa Cattedrale di Modena, Modena 1940); coins minted by the Este and by others with the effigy of St. G., ancient confraternities and hospitals dedicated to him, historic visits and pilgrimages (C. Cavedoni, Cenni storici intorno alla vita e i miracoli del glorioso s. G., Modena 1856, pp. 77-80, 101-104, 122). At 5 km. from Modena, in Cognento, by tradition his birthplace, there exists the "miraculous spring" of St. G. Venerated in various dioceses of northern Italy, for example, in Venice from the 6th century, with an ancient church, rebuilt by Sansovino, but destroyed. Patron in: the archdiocese of Modena, the diocese of Pontremoli, the town of S. Gimignano in Valdelsa, so called in his honor at least from the 10th century. Feast on January 31. Other feasts: March 9 (patronage), April 29 (translation).

Pietro Galavotti