Hierarch
Martin the Merciful of Tours
Saint Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours
New Calendar November 11 Old Calendar November 24
Why they are a saint
Martin the Merciful of Tours is remembered as Bishop of Tours. Holy hierarchs are venerated because they guarded the faith and shepherded a local church. Orthodox Christians remember him as a hierarch who kept the apostolic faith in his see.
Limited historical information is available about this saint.
Life
Saint Martin was born at Sabaria in Pannonia in 316, the son of a Roman officer, and served unwillingly in the army while still a catechumen. At the gates of Amiens he cut his cloak in two and gave half to a shivering beggar; that night Christ appeared to him wearing it, saying, 'Martin is only a catechumen, but he has clothed Me with this garment.' He was baptized soon after and later left the army.
After years of ascetic life, during which Saint Hilary of Poitiers made him an exorcist, he was chosen Bishop of Tours in 371. He kept his monastic life, and the place where he settled outside Tours became a monastery; he is regarded as the founder of monasticism in France. He is called the Merciful for his generosity and care for the poor. He died at Candes on November 8, 397, and was buried at Tours three days later.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Martin the Merciful of Tours as a patron when they bear the name Martin at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on November 11. As a bishop, he is also remembered by clergy and those who serve the Church.
Prayer
O holy Martin the Merciful of Tours, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.