Martin of Tours

Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, the soldier who shared his cloak with a beggar.

Saint Martin was born in Pannonia in the fourth century and served in the Roman army. The famous story relates that as a catechumen he cut his cloak in half to clothe a freezing beggar, and that night saw Christ wearing the piece he had given away.

After his baptism he became a disciple of Saint Hilary of Poitiers, founded the first monastery in Gaul and was made Bishop of Tours, where he laboured for the conversion of the countryside and reposed in 397.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Martin of Tours is commemorated on November 12. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on November 25 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Martinos, Martin

Also commemorated on November 12

• 

  John the Merciful

  Hierarch, Ιωάννης ο Ελεήμων

  Patriarch of Alexandria, the Almsgiver.

  Name days: Ioannis, Giannis, John

• Nilus of Sinai

  Venerable, Νείλος ο Ασκητής

  Venerable Nilus the Ascetic of Sinai, disciple of Saint John Chrysostom and spiritual writer.

  Name days: Neilos, Nilos, Nilus

• Nilus the Myrrhgusher

  Venerable, Νείλος ο Μυροβλύτης

  Venerable Nilus the Myrrhgusher of Mount Athos.

  Name days: Neilos, Nilos, Nilus

• Ahijah the Prophet

  Prophet, Αχιά ο Προφήτης

  Holy Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite, who foretold the division of the kingdom of Israel.

• Sabbas Nigdelis

  Martyr, Σάββας Νιγδελής ο Νεομάρτυς

  Holy New Martyr Sabbas Nigdelis of Nigde in Cappadocia, martyred in Constantinople in 1726.

• Zebinas, Germanos, Nikephoros and Antoninus

  Martyr, Ζεβινάς, Γερμανός, Νικηφόρος και Αντωνίνος

  Holy Martyrs Zebinas, Germanos, Nikephoros and Antoninus, with the Virgin Manatho, at Caesarea in Palestine.