Saint Denis, the first bishop of Paris in the 3rd century, is one of the oldest and most venerated martyrs in France, beheaded for his faith on the hill of Montmartre. According to tradition, he carried his head to his burial place, becoming a powerful symbol of perseverance and fidelity to God despite persecution. Wearing a Saint Denis medal is a way of invoking spiritual strength in the face of adversity and placing oneself under the protection of a great witness to the Christian faith.