Hierarch Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours

Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours (c. 316–397), was born in Pannonia, son of a pagan Roman military tribune. Enrolled in the imperial cavalry as a youth, he was stationed in Gaul, where, at the gates of Amiens, he met a freezing beggar and, having nothing else to give, cut his soldier's cloak in two with his sword, giving half to the poor man.

That night Christ appeared to him in a dream wearing the half-cloak, telling the angels, "Here is Martin, still a catechumen, who has clothed me." Martin was baptized soon after and left military service, telling Emperor Julian that as a Christian he could not bear arms. He became a disciple of St. Hilary of Poitiers and founded one of the first monastic communities in Gaul.

In 371 he was acclaimed bishop of Tours against his own wishes, continuing an ascetic life while combating paganism, founding churches and monasteries, and becoming renowned for miracles and prophecy. He is counted among the first non-martyr saints publicly venerated in the Western Church and is patron saint of France. He died at Candes, near Tours, on November 8, 397.