St. Denis

I chose St. Denis as our Saint of the day today because of an interesting legend that is attached to his story.  St. Denis (also called Dionysius, Dennis, or Denys), was born and raised in Italy and was sent as a missionary to what is now France.  He chose an island in the Seine (where Paris is now located) as the base for his missionary activity and so is known as the first Bishop of Paris.  Denis and his companions, Rusticus and Eleutherius, were captured by pagans and beheaded around 258 AD. 
Legend has it that after he was beheaded, Denis picked up his head and carried it for about 10 kilometers (6 miles), preaching a sermon the whole way.  St. Denis is usually depicted in sacred art carrying his own head.  He is the patron Saint of Paris.  His feast day is October 9.