Savinian and Potentian

Saints

Savinian and Potentian
The Martyrdom of Saint Savinian. Church of Saint-Étienne de Sens.
Bishops, martyrs
Died390
Sens
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
CanonizedPre-Congregation
FeastDecember 31
PatronageSens, Archdiocese of Sens

Saints Savinian[1] and Potentian (French: Savinien et Potenti(e)n) (d. 390[2]) are martyrs 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,[3] nor does the Hieronymian Martyrology, which was revised before 600 at Auxerre or Autun.[3] One source states that "it is considered likely that Sabinian and Potentian were bishops of Sens, with Potentian succeeding Sabinian."[4] On the other hand, one source calls only Sabinian a bishop;[5] 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."[5] Later traditions made them earlier saints as disciples of Saint Peter.[6]

A tradition states that they initially preached at Ferrières in the Gâtinais before preaching at Sens.[7]

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.[7]

  1. ^ Or Sabinian, Sabinianus
  2. ^ Dates vary. 390 AD is from: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2407
  3. ^ a b Catholic Encyclopedia: Sens
  4. ^ Sts. Sabinian & Potentian - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
  5. ^ a b Dominican Martyrology: December
  6. ^ Dom Basile Fleureau: De la Prédication de l'Evangile à Estampes (1668)
  7. ^ a b Diocèse catholique de Sens-Auxerre - Saints Savinien et Potentien