Saint Domitian
Saint Domitian of Maastricht (born c. 525 AD in Rome, Italy; died May 7, 560 AD in Maastricht, Netherlands) was the fourth Bishop of Tongres-Maastricht (in what is now the Netherlands and Belgium) and a friend of Saint Servatius. He was known for his charitable works during a plague and for expelling a dragon (understood as a symbol of plague or pagan forces) from Huy on the Meuse River. He is the patron of Huy. His feast day is May 7.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Domitian
| Saint Domitian | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | May 07 |
| Profession | Bishop of Tongres-Maastricht; missionary; miracle worker |
| Rel. Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Patronage | Huy, Belgium; Diocese of Liège |
| Attributes | Bishop's vestments; dragon (at his feet or fleeing); Meuse River |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy (traditional; may be symbolic) |
| Death Place | Maastricht (or Huy), present-day Belgium/Netherlands |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, Huy, Belgium — his relics are venerated here |
| Liturgical Class | Not included in universal Roman Calendar; observed in Belgium and Netherlands |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Domitian was the fourth Bishop of Tongres-Maastricht, succeeding Falco around 535 AD. He presided over the early Christian community in the Meuse River region of what is now Belgium and the Netherlands. He is remembered especially in connection with the city of Huy (Hoei) on the Meuse, where the dragon legend developed.
Early medieval hagiography frequently portrays missionary bishops as expelling dragons — these stories symbolize the defeat of paganism and pestilence through the power of Christ. Domitian's dragon at Huy is one of the best-known examples from the Low Countries.
He died on May 7, 560 AD, and his relics were enshrined at the collegiate church of Huy, of which he is patron. He is also commemorated in the history of the Diocese of Liège and Maastricht.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy (traditional; may be symbolic)
Death location: Maastricht (or Huy), present-day Belgium/Netherlands
Notable location: The Meuse River town where he expelled the dragon (symbolic of plague); he is its patron; the collegiate church of Notre-Dame de Huy preserves his memory (Huy, Liège Province, Wallonia, Belgium)
Notable location: His episcopal see; one of the oldest Christian cities in the Low Countries (Maastricht, Limburg Province, Netherlands)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, Huy, Belgium — his principal shrine; a late Gothic church above the Meuse; he is the city's patron.
Feast day
May 7
Veneration
Saint Domitian is venerated as patron of Huy with a feast day on May 7.
Prayers
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Intercessory
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