Italy: The basilica of San Miniato al Monte (St. Minias on the Mountain), founded in...

Saint Minias (3rd century CE) is venerated as the first Christian martyr of Florence. The church of San Miniato al Monte is dedicated to him. According to legend, he was an Armenian king or prince serving in the Roman Army - or making a penitential pilgrimage to Rome - who had decided to become a hermit near Florence.- He was denounced as a Christian and in 250 CE brought before Emperor Decius, who was persecuting Christians. Miniato refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, and was put through numerous torments - he was thrown into a furnace, was lapidated, and was thrown to a lion or a panther at an amphitheater - from which he emerged unharmed. Finally, he was beheaded near the present Piazza della Signoria, but his legend states that he picked up his own head. Miniato then crossed the Arno and returned to his hermitage on the hill known as Mons Fiorentinus (Monte di Firenze).- A shrine was later erected at this spot and there was a chapel there by the 8th century. Construction of the present church was begun in 1013 by Bishop Alibrando and it was endowed by the Emperor Henry II. The adjoining monastery began as a Benedictine community, then passed to the Cluniacs and then in 1373 to the Olivetans, who still run it.