Saint Martin of Tours

Saint Martin of Tours (c. 316–397 AD) is one of the most beloved saints of the Western Church and is venerated in the Orthodox Church as a holy hierarch and wonderworker. Born in what is now Hungary to a Roman military family, he served as a soldier before his famous encounter with a freezing beggar at the gates of Amiens, to whom he cut his military cloak in half — that night, he dreamed of Christ wearing the half-cloak and saying, "Martin, a catechumen, has covered me with this garment."

This vision led Saint Martin to be baptized and to leave military service. He became a disciple of Saint Hilary of Poitiers, founded the first monastery in Gaul at Ligugé, and was eventually acclaimed Bishop of Tours by the people. As bishop, he continued to live as a monk, founding the great monastery of Marmoutier and evangelizing the rural areas of Gaul with extraordinary zeal and miraculous power.

Saint Martin is venerated as the Apostle of Gaul and one of the fathers of Western monasticism. His feast day is November 11. Browse our handcrafted Orthodox icons and devotional items honoring Saint Martin of Tours, made in our Ohio workshop using traditional Byzantine embroidery techniques.