GEMINIANO, Saint. – Bishop of Modena c. 344–96. He is most probably the same Geminianus episcopus who in 396 at the Council of Milan instructed the presbyter Apro to sign the decree condemning Jovinian. His outstanding holiness and apostolic zeal are recalled in a lively and constant tradition, but the earliest Lives, not earlier than the 8th century, are legendary, modelled on that of St Zeno of Verona. Archaeological excavations prove that an ancient basilica was soon erected over his tomb, not far from the present one. On 30 April 1166, according to the contemporary Relatio, the tomb was transferred to the present cathedral, begun in 1069; on 7 October, when the sepulchre was opened, “his body is seen whole and uncorrupted”; on the 8th, honoured with gifts from Countess Matilda and Bishop Dodone of Modena, the body was enclosed in the tomb, which Pope Paschal II consecrated as an altar. On 12 July 1184, as recorded in a contemporary inscription, Lucius III “having shown his body, consecrated the church of blessed Geminianus.” Further evidence of cult in Modena: the saint’s arm in a silver casket; sculptures by Wiligelmo (1069–1166) and Agostino Duccio (1443); parchments from the Chapter Archive from the 8th century (P. E. Vicini, Regesta, I, pp. 3 ff.), mentioning the saint or his sepulchre or relating donations in his honour or indulgences granted by popes to those visiting his tomb (P. Galavotti, Regesto dei documenti di indulgenze elargite alla Chiesa Cattedrale di Modena, Modena 1940); coins struck by the Este family and others bearing the effigy of St Geminian; ancient confraternities and hospitals named after him; historical 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).
Five kilometres from Modena, in Cognento—traditionally his birthplace—stands the “miracle fountain” of St Geminian. He is venerated in various dioceses of northern Italy, for example in Venice from at least the 6th century, where an ancient church, rebuilt by Sansovino, once stood but has since been destroyed. Patron of: the archdiocese of Modena; the diocese of Pontremoli; the town of S. Gimignano in Valdelsa, so called in his honour at least since the 10th century. Feast on 31 January. Other feasts: 9 March (patronal feast), 29 April (translation).