Saint Antoninus of Pamiers | |
|---|---|
 Carving inPamiers Cathedral depicting the voyage of Antoninus' relics. | |
| Born | Fredelacum (Pamiers) |
| Died | ? Vallis Nobilis, nowSaint-Antonin-Noble-Val |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church,Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Feast | 2 September |
| Patronage | Pamiers; Palencia; Medina del Campo |
SaintAntoninus of Pamiers (French:Saint Antonin,Occitan:Sant Antoní, andSpanish:San Antolín) was an earlyChristianmissionary andmartyr, called the "Apostle of the Rouergue". His life is dated to the first, second, fourth, and fifth century by various sources since he is often confused with various other venerated Antonini. Today he is revered as thepatron saint ofPamiers,Palencia, andMedina del Campo. His historicity and exact identity are in doubt.
Reportedly born at Fredelacum (Pamiers), Antoninus converted to Christianity and made apilgrimage toRome, where he wasordained. He returned to preach theGospel inAquitaine, especially in the border regions of theRouergue. The traditions of theDiocese of Pamiers mention as its first Apostle of Christianity.[1] CardinalCaesar Baronius believed that he was one of the martyrs of theTheban Legion in 286.[2]
He is credited with performing manymiracles. He was martyred at Vallis Nobilis, nowSaint-Antonin-Noble-Val on 2 September, hisfeast day. Hisrelics ended up at Pamiers and Palencia.
Antoninus was venerated from an early date.Palencia Cathedral is dedicated to him, as isPamiers Cathedral.
According to local tradition, theCrypt of Saint Antoninus [de] at Palencia Cathedral, which supposedly houses hisrelics, was finished during the mid-seventh century episcopate ofAscaric. Amonastery dedicated to him had been built nearFoix by the eighth century. It claimed to possess his head and part of his body, brought fromSyria by a boat that had navigated the riversAriège,Tarn,Garonne, andAveyron with the aid of anangel. These conflicting traditions suggest that the martyr of Pamiers is the same person as the martyr Antoninus of Syria.
The Abbey of St. Antonin was founded near Fredelacum about 960.
The town ofSaint-Antonin-Noble-Val is named after him.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
