Saint Denis (or Dionysius) of Paris was a third-century martyr and Bishop of Paris. In his time, Paris was under the control of the Roman empire. He was part of a pioneering group of missionaries that brought the gospel to France, and he was very successful in bringing the pagans to Christ. He was beheaded during one of the Roman Empire's persecutions of Christians. Saint Denis gained a devoted following in France, and was particularly revered by French royalty. The Saint Denis Basilica, the church built on the place his body was buried, served also for many centuries as the royal tombs of France.