Martin des Ormeaux

Who they were

Martin, known as 'des Ormeaux' to distinguish him from the more famous Martin of Tours, was a bishop of the now-suppressed diocese of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux in what is now France, probably appointed around 657. According to tradition he was a pious and compassionate bishop who, after some years in his diocese, was struck by a serious illness, believed to have been leprosy, and withdrew to live as a hermit near Taulignan, where he died.

His relics were later moved several times to protect them from plunder, and since the disorders of the Grandes Compagnies they have been kept in the parish church of Valréas, where he is still venerated. Archaeological excavations at Taulignan uncovered an empty sarcophagus from the 7th or 8th century, believed to be his first burial place. He is honoured for his piety and eremitic life, and his feast is kept on 23 June.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

Bishop of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux who became a hermit near Taulignan after contracting leprosy; venerated as a saint, feast 23 June.

Connected on this site

• Martin of Tours Saint
  “Martin, known as 'des Ormeaux' to distinguish him from the more famous Martin of Tours, was a bishop of the now-suppressed diocese of Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux in what is now France, probably appointed around 657.” — this site's research