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Protais and Gervais, Sts.

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flourished in the first century of the Christian era, and were martyred at Milan towards the year 68. These two brothers were sons of St. Vital and St. Valeria, and their martyrdom appears to have taken place in the last years of the reign of Nero. Their memory was forgotten, until a vision revealed the place of their sepulture to St. Ambrose, when about to dedicate the Cathedral of Milan. The two martyrs were buried in the Church of St. Nabor and St. Felix, and upon the representations of St. Ambrose their coffins were discovered. Their names were plainly inscribed upon them, as St. Ambrose announced only what he had learned by revelation. The bones were transferred to the Basilica, and legends report many miracles done by them during their transfer, which from the 5th century was celebrated at Milan and in the African Church. The worship of these two saints spread rapidly, and in the 6th century a church was built and dedicated to them at Paris. This church has been several times restored, and exists yet in that city. The feast of St. Gervais and of St. Protais is celebrated on the 19th of June. — Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generalle, s.v. See Bollandus, Acta Sanctorum, Jun.; Tillemont, Memoires Ecclesiastiques; Baillet, Vies des Saints, 19 Juin. (See GERVAISE).