Location on North Colonnade




37. St. Benignus
The 140 Saints of the Colonnade

Location Area
North Colonnade - Curved Arm

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Saints 22-44
Saints 45-70
Saints 71-96
Saints 97-119
Saints 120-140


 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Benignus of Dijon
Died - Third century martyr

Feastday - 1 November

Statue created - c. 1667-1668
This statue was installed between May 1667 and July 1668.

Sculptor - Francesco Mari
Attributed to him since he was paid for two statues from August 1667 to February 1668.

Height - 3.1 m. (10ft 4in) travertine
This statue is stylistically approachable to St Apollonius (33). The position of the arms is derived from the barbarians on the Arch of Constantine. The saint wears a turban, and is identified with oriental clothing.

St Benignus was honored as a martyr, and first herald of Christianity to Dijon. According to legend, he was sent to Galilee as a missionary by St Polycarp of Smyrna, and martyred in Dijon under Aurelian. But this account does not have a historical basis. The Roman Martyrology states that, at Dijon, he was venerated as a priest and martyr.

Saints on North Colonnade

38. Malchus

37. Benignus

36. Barbara

Saints on North Colonnade
Below Apostolic Palace

  41. Pontian
40. Columba
39. Mamas
38. Malchus
37. Benignus
36. Barbara
35. Fausta
34. Candida
33. Apollonius
32. Didymus

 

Sources:
Roma Sacra - San Pietro in Vaticano, Itineraries 21-22, ©Fabbrica of St. Peter's, July 2001
Le Statue Berniniani del Colonnato di San Pietro by Valentino Martinelli ©1987 by de Luca Editore

 

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