About Saint Victor:
Saint Victor Maurus of Milan, although born in to a Christian family, was a soldier in the Paraetorian Guard of the Emperor Maximin. It is said that Victor refused to continue his military service. Dragged to the Hippodrome of the Circus in the presence of Maximian Herculean and his adviser Anulinus, he refused to betray his beliefs despite the torments to which he was subjected. He was whipped and thrown in to prison. After an almost miraculous escape, he was again captured. He was dragged into a nearby elm wood and decapitated around the year 303.
His bones were later buried at an ancient basilica on the site of a former Roman mausoleum. St Ambrose translated the relics to a chapel built for that purpose within the basilica where he himself was later buried, and which is now named for him. This chapel, San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro, contains the famous mosaic portrait of St Ambrose. In the 9th century, the relics were returned to the original basilica, known as Saint Victor ‘ad corpus’, and have remained there ever since; they were officially recognized as authentic by the Blessed Schuster in 1941. In the mid-16th century, the church was completely rebuilt by the Olivetan monks who then had charge of it; once again, our thanks to Nicola for sharing his pictures of one of the many beautiful churches of his city.
The architect Galeazzo Alessi, who had charge of the rebuilding project, intended to build a portico in front, but this was never realized, leaving the upper and lower parts of the façade with this rather disjointed appearance.
It is now part of the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, built by Ambrose, fourth-century bishop of Milan, and initially called the “Basilica Martyrum”. Victor’s cause was promoted by Ambrose.
In 1576, Bishop Charles Borromeo had the relics returned to the rebuilt San Vittore al Corpo. Forensic examinations conducted in 2018 indicated the remains of a male in his mid-twenties, with clear signs of decapitation.
The Basilica of Saint Victor (Basilica di San Vittore al Corpo):
The Basilica of S.Vittore has a very ancient history, which began in the fourth century when it was called Porziana, named after Porzio, its ancient founder, which built it perhaps by expanding an already existing imperial temple (titled to Hercules, patron deity of Maximian).
The bones of the saint were returned to the Christians at a later time and arranged first in the ancient basilica, from which the dedication “S.Vittore ad Corpus”, then moved to a saccello: S.Vittore in Ciel d’Oro, near the current S. Ambrose, together with the body of Satyr and Ambrose himself. Finally, the relic returned to San Vittore, thanks to the Benedictines, since then it was no longer moved except to find a definitive seat in the altar of the reconstructed Olivetan basilica in 1576.
The Basilica of San Vittore is also called vetus for its antiquity, or even extra-maminana for its location outside the city walls.
About the Basilica of San Vittore in Milan:
The unfinished façade tells of the widespread Lombard custom of giving space to the interior, to its construction and its finishing, before turning attention to the creation, and sometimes even the study, of the façade.
The appearance of the façade today is disarmingly simple, almost crude, especially when seen in contrast with the sumptuousness of the interior.
As it currently stands, the front appears divided into two orders: the lower one is determined by twelve architraved pillars supporting an entablature (which must have corresponded to the portico, mentioned above, in front of the entrance); in the upper part, four large pilasters with cherub heads, as capitals, corresponding to the area of the central nave, the two central pillars divide a semi-lunar opening.
There are several churches dedicated to him in the city of Milan itself and throughout the Diocese of Milan.
The Memorial of Saint Victor is May 8 ( the memorial is also celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).
Saint Victor is the patron saint of prisoners and exiles.
The bones of the saint were returned to the Christians at a later time and placed first in the ancient basilica, hence the dedication “S. Vittore ad Corpus”, then moved to a small chapel: S. Vittore in Ciel d’Oro, near the current Saint Ambrogio, together with the body of Satiro and Ambrogio himself. Finally the relic returned to San Vittore, thanks to the Benedictines, from then on it was never moved except to find a permanent home in the altar of the rebuilt Olivetan basilica in 1576.
Traveling to the Basilica of San Vittore in Milan:
Address: Via San Vittore, 25, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Tel: +39 02 4800 5351