The statue of Saint-Denis holding his head can be seen all over Paris, here at Saint Germain l'Auxerrois church and nearby at Notre Dame for two.
In the third century he was Bishop of Paris and martyred in connection with the persecution of Christians shortly after 250 A.D. After his head was chopped off in the area now known at Montmartre, he is said to have picked it up and walked six miles (10km) preaching as he walked. The site where he stopped preaching and actually died was marked by a small shrine that developed into Basilique Saint-Denis which I featured last Sunday.
There are many versions of the story and the statues depicting Saint-Denis are unique in their artistic interpretation of his halo, and whether or not he made it the whole way with his head or just some part of it.
When you are in Paris, look for Saint-Denis. He is easy to spot.
bon dimanche
Église Saint Germain l'Auxerrois
2, place du Louvre
75001 Paris
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