Particular veneration for Defendens was widespread in
Northern Italy; evidence for this cult dates from as early as 1328. 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 also a church dedicated to him at
Clusone, the church of
San Defendente, and another at
Invorio. Until 1476 his relics, according to the 1578
Martyrologium Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae of
Pietro Galesino, were kept in the church of Santa Croce in Casale Monferrato, which suggested that his martyrdom may have taken place in that region. The painter
Defendente Ferrari, born at Chivasso, where Defendens was venerated, carries the baptismal name of this martyr. ==Gallery==