Saint martin biography

4th-century Christian cleric and saint

This article is about the French saint. For the Caribbean island, see Saint Martin (island). For other uses, see Saint Martin (disambiguation).

Martin of Tours (Latin: Martinus Turonensis; 316/336 – 8 November 397) was the third bishop of Tours.

He is the patron saint of many communities and organizations across Europe, including France's Third Republic.

St martin of tours feast day

A native of Pannonia (present-day Hungary), he converted to Christianity at a young age. He served in the Roman cavalry in Gaul, but left military service prior to 361, when he became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers, establishing the monastery at Ligugé.

He was consecrated as Bishop of Caesarodunum (Tours) in 371. As bishop, he was active in the suppression of the remnants of Gallo-Roman religion.

The contemporary hagiographerSulpicius Severus wrote a Life of St. Martin.

He is best known for the account of his using his sword to cut his cloak in two,