Antoninus of Pamiers Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Antoninus of Pamiers
Carving in Pamiers Cathedral depicting the voyage of Antoninus' relics.
Born	Fredelacum (Pamiers)
Died	? Vallis Nobilis, now Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val
Venerated in	Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast	2 September
Patronage	Pamiers; Palencia; Medina del Campo

Saint Antoninus of Pamiers was an early Christian missionary and martyr. A missionary is someone who travels to spread their religious beliefs. A martyr is a person who dies for their beliefs. Antoninus is sometimes called the "Apostle of the Rouergue," which means he was an important early Christian leader in that area.

We don't know the exact dates of his life for sure. Some stories place him in the first, second, fourth, or fifth centuries. This is because he might be confused with other saints named Antoninus. Today, he is honored as a patron saint of several places, including Pamiers in France, and Palencia and Medina del Campo in Spain.

The Story of Saint Antoninus
- Early Life and Mission
- Miracles and Martyrdom
Honoring Saint Antoninus
- Places of Veneration
- Legacy and Namesakes
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The Story of Saint Antoninus

Early Life and Mission

Antoninus was reportedly born in a place called Fredelacum, which is now the town of Pamiers in France. He became a Christian and traveled on a pilgrimage to Rome. A pilgrimage is a special journey to a holy place. In Rome, he was ordained, meaning he became a religious leader.

After his time in Rome, Antoninus returned to preach the Gospel (the teachings of Christianity) in a region of France called Aquitaine. He focused especially on the border areas of the Rouergue. The local traditions in Pamiers say that he was the very first person to bring Christianity to their area. Some historians even thought he might have been one of the martyrs from the Theban Legion in the year 286.

Miracles and Martyrdom

Many stories say that Saint Antoninus performed several miracles. A miracle is an amazing event that cannot be explained by natural laws and is believed to be caused by divine power. He was martyred, meaning he died for his faith, in a place called Vallis Nobilis. This place is now known as Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val. His death is remembered on September 2nd, which is his feast day. After his death, his relics (parts of his body or belongings) were taken to Pamiers and Palencia.

Honoring Saint Antoninus

Places of Veneration

People have honored Saint Antoninus for a very long time. Two important cathedrals are dedicated to him: Palencia Cathedral in Spain and Pamiers Cathedral in France.

According to local stories, the Crypt of Saint Antoninus [de] in Palencia Cathedral holds his relics. This crypt was supposedly finished around the mid-seventh century. A monastery dedicated to him was built near Foix by the eighth century. This monastery claimed to have his head and part of his body. They said these relics were brought from Syria by a boat that traveled along several rivers, helped by an angel. These different stories about his relics suggest that the Saint Antoninus from Pamiers might be the same person as a martyr named Antoninus from Syria.

Legacy and Namesakes

Around the year 960, the Abbey of St. Antonin was founded near Fredelacum, his birthplace. The town of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, where he was martyred, is also named after him.