Saint Justin is considered the first Bishop of Bigorre and the founder of the church of Tarbes before the middle of the 5th century. Although Gregory of Tours describes him as a priest, ancient martyrologies attest to his episcopal rank. His relics were kept in the village of Cessac.
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SAINT JUSTIN OF BIGORRE.
Identification and dating
Saint Justin is identified as the first bishop of Bigorre thanks to the Hieronymian Martyrology, placing his existence before the year 439.
Who first brought the light of faith to Bigorre, and laid the foundations of the church of Tarbes? This is unknown. In the old martyrology which bears the name of Saint Jerome at its head, one reads the following on May 1st:
"The passing of Sa int Justin, saint Justin First bishop of Bigorre and evangelizer of the Tarbes region. great bishop in the city of Bigorre."
It must be concluded from this that he was bishop of Bigorre before the year 439, since it is established that this martyrology contains no Saint who is not anterior, or at the very least contemporary to Saint Jerome. For those found at the end, in different characters, were added. Justin is named great bishop, which could well have the same meaning as first.
Historical testimonies and cult
Despite a discrepancy in title in Gregory of Tours, tradition confirms his episcopate and locates his relics in Cessac.
Saint Gregory of Tours mentions Saint Ju stin in the saint Justin First bishop of Bigorre and evangelizer of the Tarbes region. Book of the Glory of the Confessors. However, he qualifies him as a priest and not a bishop; the authority of the aforementioned martyrology prevails: it is to this that one must refer as the most ancient document. The same Gregory of Tours writes that the village of Cessac, in the territory of Bigorre, was enriched by the body of Saint Justin. Ruinard observes that, not far from the parish church of Cessac, one can still see an old oratory almost entirely destroyed, with two cells, and consecrated to God under the name of Saint-Justin; he conjectures that the body of the Saint once rested there. This place is six leagues from the cit y of T Tarbes Main city of the saint's activity, located in Bigorre. arbes.
Sources
The information comes mainly from the Proper of the Diocese of Tarbes.
Proper of Tarbes Propre de Tarbes Liturgical book proper to the Diocese of Tarbes. .
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Bringing the light of faith to Bigorre
- Foundation of the church of Tarbes
- Episcopate in Bigorre before 439
Quotes
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The death of Saint Justin, great bishop in the city of Bigorre
Martyrology of Saint Jerome