Prosdocimus (Prosdecimus) of Padua (, ) (d. November 7, ca. 100 AD) is venerated as the first bishop of Padua.
He evangelized the region and is said to have founded the parish church at Isola Vicentina. Prosdocimus baptized Justina of Padua.Hinds, Allen Banks. “Saint Justina of Padua”. A Garner of Saints, 1900. CatholicSaints.Info. 20 April 2017
His tomb is situated at the basilica of Santa Giustina at Padua. The chapel dedicated to him there was built over his tomb outside the walls of Padua. The church also once contained the relics of Prosdocimus's deacon, Daniel, though these were moved to the Paduan church of Santa Sofia in the 11th century, and then to Padua Cathedral.
Iconography He is generally depicted with a mitre and crosier, and sometimes with a can or ewer, referring to his baptism of St. Giustina.Stracke, Richard. "St. Prosdocimus", Christian Iconography
Tradition holds that, being of Greek origin, he was sent from Antioch by Peter the Apostle. He is thus often depicted in art with this apostle. The cathedral at Feltre is dedicated to him and Saint Peter the Apostle, and the artist Il Pordenone (c. 1483 - 1539) created a work depicting Prosdocimus with Peter."Saint Prosdocimus and Saint Peter", Kress Collection
There is a bronze statue of Prosdocimus (c. 1447) by Donatello in the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua in Padua.
Prosdocimus is depicted in an altarpiece by Romanino, now in the Musei Civici di Padova, Padua. He holds the jug a water with which he baptized Justina.PROCEEDINGS 4th International Congress on “Science and Technology for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean Basin” Vol. I, (Angelo Ferrari, ed.) p. 441, Cairo, 2009
A drawing by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo of "St. Prosdocimus baptizing St. Giustina" is held by the National Gallery of Victoria.Zagala, Maria. Prints and Drawings, National Gallery Of Victoria, Melbourne, 2003, p. 58 Pietro Damini painted an image of Saint Prosdocimus.Rosa Giorgi, Saints: A Year in Faith and Art (Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2006).
References
External links
Saints of November 7: Prosdocimus of Padua