Particular veneration for Defendens was widespread in Northern Italy; evidence for this cult dates from as early as 1328. His feast day was celebrated in the cities of Chivasso, Casale Monferrato, Novara, and Lodi on January 2, and oratories, altars, and confraternities were dedicated to him. He also enjoyed veneration in Marseilles; the Catholic Encyclopedia states that “several saints belong in a particular way to Marseilles: the soldier St. Victor, martyr under Maximian; the soldier St. Defendens and his companions, martyrs at the same time...” But as Antonio Borrelli writes, some scholars believe that the Defendens venerated in Italy is different from the martyr who was a member of the Theban Legion.

There is an oratory dedicated to him at Solto Collina. There is also a church dedicated to him at Clusone, the church of Chiesa di San Defendente, and another at Invorio.

The painter Defendente Ferrari, born at Chivasso, where Defendens was venerated, thus carries the baptismal name of this martyr.

References

External links

• San Defendente di Tebe