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Commemorated on June 10
Sainted Vassian,
Bishop of Laudia, was a friend of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Mediolanum-Milan
(+ 397, Comm. 7 December). The father of Saint Vassian governed the Syracuse
region (in Sicily) and he prepared his son to follow in his footsteps. He sent
him to Rome to receive his education. While still in his childhood Saint
Vassian had heard about the Christians and he wanted to know more about them
and become familiar with the Christian faith. Presbyter Gordian taught him the
essentials of the Christian faith, and the youth was filled with the desire to
accept Baptism. At the time of the performing of the sacrament Saint Vassian
beheld an Angel in the Baptismal font, holding the garb, in which the
newly-baptised would be clothed. The saint made bold to ask, who he was and
from where. The Angel replied, that he was sent from afar to help him fulfill
his holy intent to know Christ, and then he became invisible.
Saint Vassian began
to lead a strict life, he partook little of food, and nights he spent at
prayer. His servants were astonished at such temperance, and they surmised,
that he had accepted Christianity. They reported about this to the father of
Saint Vassian, who then ordered him to return to Syracuse. Praying in the
church of Saint John the Theologian, the saint received from the apostle the
command to leave from Rome. And so Saint Vassian distributed all his substance
to the poor and together with his faithful Christian servant he set off to
Ravenna to his kinsman, bishop Ursus.
Bishop Ursus set him
up at a solitary place outside the city near the church in honour of the
PriestMartyr Apollinarius. Saint Vassian quite quickly advanced spiritually,
and soon he was glorified by miracles. During this time a judge had been
falsely accused and was sentenced to death by execution. Along the way to
execution he prayerfully called out for help to Saint Vassian. When the
executioner was already holding the sword up over his head, the sword suddenly
was knocked from the grip of his hands and flew off to the side. This occurred
three times. And the same thing happened with another executioner. When they
reported about this to the emperor, the emperor set free the judge, who then
told how he had been saved through the intercession of Saint Vassian.
The people of the
city, believing that the prayer of Saint Vassian was powerful before God,
besought bishop Ursus to ordain him to the dignity of presbyter. Upon the death
of the bishop of the city of Lodium (Laudia, in Liguria, Northern Italy), a
presbyter of the cathedral church by the name of Clement had a revelation –
that Saint Vassian would be chosen bishop of Lodium. Both Saint Ambrose, Bishop
of Mediolanum-Milan, and bishop Ursus officiated at the laying on of hands at the
ordination.
Saint Vassian taught
the people not only by word, but also by deed, providing his flock example of a
virtuous life. At Lodium he built up a beautiful church in the name of the holy
Apostles. Saint Vassian often exchanged letters with Saint Ambrose, and he was
present at the blessed end of the saint and gave burial to his body.
Saint Vassian died
peacefully in the year 430, having served in the dignity of archbishop for 35
years.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
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