St. Martin of Tours

St. Martin of Tours (316-397 CE) served in the Roman Cavalry but left to become a Christian monk and eventually was made Bishop of Tours in 371 CE.
He is one of the most notable Christian Saints in France, remaining prominent during the Middle Ages and was made the Patron Saint of the Third French republic (1870-71 CE).

Originally from Pannonia, Martin joined the Roman Cavalry and served in Gaul.
He left the cavalry and became a Christian monk near Tours, and was eventually was consecrated as Bishop of Tours in 371 CE.
In c.372 CE, Martin established the Abbey of Marmoutier outside Tours, which went on to become one of the most influential institutions in France.
He was responsible for encouraging wine production in the area of Tours.
Martin campaigned to free prisoners who were due to be executed. He visited Trier and successfully argued for the release of the Priscillianist heretics. However, after he left they were executed.
After his death he was buried in a tomb at Tours which became a site of Pilgrimage.
He was venerated during the Middle Ages by the Kings of France.

While serving in the cavalry, Martin passed a beggar outside Amiens, and seeing his need for clothing, cut his military cape in half with his sword and gave half to the beggar. That night he had a dream in which Jesus appeared to him wearing the beggar’s half of the cloak.
He decided to become a Christian and was baptised at 18 years old.
The half of the cloak that he kept for himself, was preserved in the Abbey of Marmoutier.
During the Middle Ages, the Kings of France swore oaths on the relic, and the cloak was carried as a banner into Battle.

Martin’s Tomb was rediscovered in 1860.
During the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71 CE), when the government was forced to flee Paris and move to Tours, St. Martin was made the Patron Saint of the Third Republic.
The Basilica of Saint Martin was commissioned in Tours in 1886 and consecrated in 1925.

Basilica of Saint Martin, Tours