Early Christian missionary and martyr
Saint Antoninus of Pamiers (French: Saint Antonin, Occitan: Sant Antoní, and Spanish: San Antolín) was an early Christian missionary and martyr, 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 the patron saint of Pamiers, Palencia, and Medina del Campo. His historicity and exact identity are in doubt.
History
Reportedly born at Fredelacum (Pamiers), Antoninus converted to Christianity and made a pilgrimage to Rome, where he was ordained. He returned to preach the Gospel in Aquitaine, especially in the border regions of the Rouergue. The traditions of the Diocese of Pamiers mention as its first Apostle of Christianity.[1] Cardinal Caesar Baronius believed that he was one of the martyrs of the Theban Legion in 286.[2]
He is credited with performing many miracles. He was martyred at Vallis Nobilis, now Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val on 2 September, his feast day. His relics ended up at Pamiers and Palencia.
Veneration
Antoninus was venerated from an early date. Palencia Cathedral is dedicated to him, as is Pamiers Cathedral.
According to local tradition, the Cripta de San Antolín at Palencia Cathedral, which supposedly houses his relics, was finished during the mid-seventh century episcopate of Ascaric. A monastery dedicated to him had been built near Foix by the eighth century. It claimed to possess his head and part of his body, brought from Syria by a boat that had navigated the rivers Ariège, Tarn, Garonne, and Aveyron with the aid of an angel. 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 of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is named after him.
