Saint Nicasius of Reims

Nicasius was bishop of Reims, in northern France, in the early 5th century, and is said to have built the city's first cathedral. When barbarian invaders attacked the city, around 407 according to most accounts, he went out to meet them at the cathedral door, hoping to protect his people. According to tradition he was killed there while chanting the psalms, together with his sister Eutropia, a consecrated virgin, and several companions. His tomb became a place of pilgrimage, and a great abbey church was later built over it.

He is depicted among the statues of Reims Cathedral, and he was invoked against smallpox, which according to tradition he had survived.