 The treatise "De Episcopis Mettensibus" of Paul the Deacon (8th-century) narrates that Anathalon was a pupil of Saint Peter who sent him as bishop in Milan, while the "Historia Dataria" (11th-century) explains that Anathalon was a disciple of the Apostle Barnabas who came to preach in Italy and consecrated him as bishop of Milan.Another legend says that Anathalon built a church in Milan dedicated to the Savior over an ancient pagan temple dedicated to Mercury, in an area where now stand the church of San Giorgio al Palazzo.The older place of veneration for this saint was the basilica "ad Concilia Sanctorum" in Milan, today no more extant, near the present church of San Babila.