Abbot of Lérins in the 8th century, Porcaire prepared his community for the Saracen invasion by sending the youngest to safety in Italy. In 731, he was massacred with five hundred of his monks for their Christian faith. His cult is particularly rooted in Lérins and the Forez region.
Guided reading
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SAINT PORCAIRE, ABBOT OF LÉRINS,
The Saracen invasion and the great martyrdom
In 731, facing the imminent invasion of the Saracens, Abbot Porcarius evacuated the youngest monks to Italy before preparing his community for martyrdom.
Saint Porcariu Saint Porcaire Abbot of Lérins and 8th-century martyr. s had earned, through his eminent virtue, to be placed at the head of the famous abbey of Saint-Honorat of abbaye de Saint-Honorat de Lérins Famous monastery where Domitian stayed. Lérins, in the diocese o f Fréjus. As Les Sarrasins Invaders responsible for the saint's martyrdom. the Saracens were preparing, in 731, to cross over to the island where his monastery was located, he had the youngest of his religious, thirty-six in number, embark for Italy, along with some children whom he had been asked to receive as boarders. He then exhorted the rest of his community, which was very numerous, to die for Jesus Christ. This exhortation could not protect two of his monks, Eleutherius a nd Columb Éleuthère Deacon and companion in martyrdom of Denis in Paris. us, from f Colomb Monk, initially reclusive, later a voluntary martyr. ear; they went to hide in a cave on the shore. The others, supported by the example of their abbot and fortified by Holy Communion, awaited death without dread. The Saracens, having made themselves masters of the abbey, which they found undefended, massacred, out of hatred for Christianity, the five hundred religious who composed the community. They began with the elderly, with the intention of intimidating the younger ones; but there was not a single one who did not prefer to die rather than renounce his religion. Columbus, ashamed of his timidity, rejoined his brothers and shared in their triumph.
The survivors and the flight into Provence
Four captured monks manage to escape near Agay and find refuge at the monastery of Arlec until the invaders depart.
The Saracens spared the lives of four, whom they took with them. They made them board one of their ships, which docked at the port of Agay (Apot port d'Agay Port where the captive monks escaped. osis portus, Var, commune of Saint-Raphaël); and as these religious were permitted to go ashore, they escaped while they were not being watched, and hid so well in a nearby forest that they could not be discovered. They walked all night and reached Arlec (Ara lucs), a monaste ry fo Arlec Monastery for women near Antibes. r women near Antibes, which was under the guidance of the abbots of Lérins. They remained there until the Saracens had evacuated Provence.
The return and reconstruction
The survivors return to Lérins, bury the martyrs, and recall the monks from Italy under the leadership of the new abbot, Eleutherius.
After the departure of these barbarians, they returned to Lé rins. Ele Éleuthère Deacon and companion in martyrdom of Denis in Paris. utherius, having emerged from his cave, joined them. When they had rendered the final duties to their massacred brothers, they went to fetch those who were in Italy, and chose Eleutherius as abbot. He repaired the monastery and revived the ancient discipline there.
Local traditions and cult
A tradition from the Forez region claims the saint's martyrdom at Monverdan, likely linked to a translation of relics.
The inhabitants of Monverdan, near the Lignon, in Forez, believe t hat Saint Porc saint Porcaire Abbot of Lérins and 8th-century martyr. arius retired among them, and that he was subsequently martyred there by the Saracens. But if the Saint of this name whom they honor is the same as the Abbot of Lérins, it must be some translation of his relics that gave rise to the establishment of the cult they render him.
Formerly, the feast of Saint Porcarius was celebrated at Lérins on August 12.
Godescard, Balliot, Mabillon, Balleau, Dom Elvot.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Election as Abbot of Lérins
- Evacuation of young monks and children to Italy in the face of the Saracen threat
- Exhortation of the community to martyrdom
- Massacre of the community by the Saracens
- Martyrdom of Porcarius with 500 religious