Saint of the Day – 23 August – St Marcian of Saignon, Abbot

Saint of the Day – 23 August – St Marcian of Saignon, France Priest, Founder and the first Abbot of the Benedictine Abbaye Saint Eusebe, the Abbey of St Eusebius. Unfortunately we do not even know the year of his birth or of his death but we do know the day of death was 23 August. Also known as – Marcian of Apt, Marciano, Marcianus, Martian, Martianus, Martien. Additional Memorial – 25 August on some calenders.

He is remembered as a Priest and the first Abbot of the Monastery of St Eusebius in Saignon which was founded by him.

Although we know little about the timescale of the Abbey, an ancient tradition traces its foundation to the early Middle Ages, making our Saint of the same Century. The Abbey founded, perhaps in the 8th Century, was attested from 1004 through the first surviving document (the deed of foundation or the restoration of the Abbey). We know too that the Monastery becamerenowned, very powerful and prosperous.

The only certainty of our Saint is the day of his death which took place on 23 August in an unknown year.

It is said that Marcian died lying on a rock due to a sudden illness. After his death, the rock on which he died became a place of miracles, veneration and pilgrimage to obtain cures or graces.

Although several Chapels were built on this site, the current Church dedicated to St Marcian dates to 1650.

The cult for St Marcian is maintained locally, in the Cathedral of St Anna, of the Diocese of Apt, where his body is preserved, a place that is still today a destination for pilgrimages.

The Saint is also remembered in Avignon as it is assumed he was born in Saignon in that Diocese. The celebration of his Feast and veneration of his Relics is remembered on 23 August.