Saint Denis was a legendary Christian martyr and saint. He lived in the 3rd century. He was bishop of Paris in the third century and, together with his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius, was martyred for his faith by decapitation.
Denis is the most famous saint in Christian legend. St.Denis and his companions were so effective in converting people that the non-Christian priests became alarmed over their loss of followers. The Roman Governor arrested the missionaries. He was imprisoned for a long time. Later, Denis and two of his clergy were executed by beheading on the highest hill in Paris (now Montmartre ), which was likely to have been a druidic holy place. After his head was cut off, Denis is said to have picked it up and walked several miles from the summit of the hill, preaching a sermon the entire way.
He is venerated in the Catholic Church as the patron saint of France and Paris and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.