Savinian and Potentian
Encyclopedia
Saints Savinian and Potentian (d. 390) are martyr
s commemorated as the patron saints and founders of the diocese of Sens, France
. Savinian should not be confused with another early French martyr, Sabinian of Troyes
.
Gregory of Tours
does not mention them, nor does the Hieronymian Martyrology, which was revised before 600 at Auxerre
or Autun
. One source states that “it is considered likely that Sabinian and Potentian were bishops of Sens, with Potentian succeeding Sabinian.” On the other hand, one source calls only Sabinian a bishop; and also states that they had been sent to Sens “by the Roman Pontiff
to preach the Gospel, and they rendered illustrious that city by the martyrdom following their confession of faith.” Later traditions made them earlier saints as disciples of Saint Peter
.
A tradition states that they initially preached at Ferrières
in the Gâtinais
before preaching at Sens.
Another states that Savinian was killed with an axe
at the spot now occupied by the crypt
of the church at Sens dedicated to the two saints.
At Chartres Cathedral, a stained glass window (number 17) depicts the two saints.
They are mentioned in the work of the medieval poet Adam of St. Victor
:
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s commemorated as the patron saints and founders of the diocese of Sens, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Savinian should not be confused with another early French martyr, Sabinian of Troyes
Sabinian of Troyes
Saint Sabinian of Troyes was a pagan who converted to Christianity , and became a martyr under Marcus Aurelius. He was beheaded at Rilly-Sainte-Syre near Troyes....
.
Gregory of Tours
Gregory of Tours
Saint Gregory of Tours was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of Gaul. He was born Georgius Florentius, later adding the name Gregorius in honour of his maternal great-grandfather...
does not mention them, nor does the Hieronymian Martyrology, which was revised before 600 at Auxerre
Auxerre
Auxerre is a commune in the Bourgogne region in north-central France, between Paris and Dijon. It is the capital of the Yonne department.Auxerre's population today is about 45,000...
or Autun
Autun
Autun is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in Burgundy in eastern France. It was founded during the early Roman Empire as Augustodunum. Autun marks the easternmost extent of the Umayyad campaign in Europe.-Early history:...
. One source states that “it is considered likely that Sabinian and Potentian were bishops of Sens, with Potentian succeeding Sabinian.” On the other hand, one source calls only Sabinian a bishop; and also states that they had been sent to Sens “by the Roman Pontiff
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
to preach the Gospel, and they rendered illustrious that city by the martyrdom following their confession of faith.” Later traditions made them earlier saints as disciples of Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader, who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The son of John or of Jonah and from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee, his brother Andrew was also an apostle...
.
A tradition states that they initially preached at Ferrières
Ferrières-en-Gâtinais
Ferrières-en-Gâtinais is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France.-See also:*Communes of the Loiret department...
in the Gâtinais
Gâtinais
Gâtinais was a province of France, containing the area around the valley of the Loing, corresponding roughly to the northeastern part of the départment of Loiret, and the south of the present departments Seine-et-Marne. Under the Bourbons, the Gâtinais had already been divided between the...
before preaching at Sens.
Another states that Savinian was killed with an axe
Axe
The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
at the spot now occupied by the crypt
Crypt
In architecture, a crypt is a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a burial vault possibly containing sarcophagi, coffins or relics....
of the church at Sens dedicated to the two saints.
Veneration
There is a church dedicated to the two saints at Sens. It is said to have been founded by the saints in the third century, rebuilt in the fifth, and restored in the eleventh. One source writes that “the altar [of this church] is affirmed to be that upon which Saint Savinien was celebrating at the moment of his martyrdom.”At Chartres Cathedral, a stained glass window (number 17) depicts the two saints.
They are mentioned in the work of the medieval poet Adam of St. Victor
Adam of St. Victor
Adam of Saint Victor was a prolific poet and composer of Latin hymns and sequences. He is believed to have sparked the expansion of the poetic and musical repertoire in the Notre Dame school with his strongly rhythmic and imagery-filled poetry....
:
- Let us lift God’s high laudation,
- We, who joyous commendation
- To His saints now loudly give;
- To Savinian, widely noted,
- And Potentian, God-devoted,
- Both of whom did GaulGaulGaul was a region of Western Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era, encompassing present day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland, the western part of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. The Gauls were the speakers of...
receive!