Strife / Denis, d. 258, Feast Day: October 9

An early missionary, Denis was the first bishop of Paris. The Roman governor had him and two companions tortured by flogging and roasting. When Denis would not die, they chopped off his head on what is now called Montmartre (“Hill of Martyrs”). When he picked up his own head and carried it six miles to his present burial place, many were converted.

Other patronages: headaches, rabies; France, Paris; Royal House of France; possessed people

Invoked: against frenzy, syphilis