Sent by the apostles Peter and Paul in the 1st century, seven missionaries landed in Cadiz to evangelize Spain. Protected by a miracle during the collapse of a bridge under their pagan pursuers, they converted the city before dispersing to found various bishoprics. Saint Torquatus, Saint Secundus, and their companions are honored as the fathers of the Spanish faith.
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THE APOSTLES OF SPAIN
The Seven Apostles of Spain
Enumeration of the seven missionaries sent in the 1st century to evangelize various cities of the Iberian Peninsula.
SAINT TORQUAT SAINT TORQUAT First bishop of Cadiz and leader of the group of the seven apostles of Spain. US IN CA CADIX City of disembarkation and episcopal see of Saint Torquatus. DIZ, SAINT CTESIPHON IN VER GIUM, SAINT SAINT SECOND One of the seven apostles, associated with the city of Avila. SECUNDUS IN AVILA, SAINT INDALETIUS IN PORTILLA, SAINT CAECILIUS IN ELVIRA, SAINT HESYCHIUS I N GIBRALTAR AN SAINT EUPHRASE One of the seven apostolic men, associated with Andújar, whose relics are in Galicia. D SAINT EUPHRASIUS IN ANDUJAR (1st century).
Arrival in Cadiz and divine intervention
Sent by Peter and Paul, the missionaries escape the hostility of the inhabitants of Cadiz thanks to the miraculous collapse of a bridge, prompting the first conversions.
According to the Roman Martyrology, the testimony of Gregory VII, and a letter addressed to King Alfonso, the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul sent seven missionaries destined to evangelize Spain. They were already elderly and, after landing in Cadiz, tired from their journey, they stopped in a pleasant countryside from where they sent to the city to buy the provisions they needed to live. There was, in Cadiz, a festival in honor of the divine Games. Upon seeing these men, who appeared to be foreigners, the idolaters feared that their ceremonies might be disturbed; they wanted to outrage these strangers, who withdrew to avoid the peril that threatened them. The idolaters returned in pursuit, but heaven intervened. A stone bridge appeared; the Christians crossed, but no sooner had the gentiles set foot on this bridge than it collapsed and was swallowed by the waters along with those it carried. The idolaters were struck by what they had just witnessed and began to look upon the Christians with fear and respect. Conversions began and multiplied in Cadiz. Saint Torquat became bishop of the city, and his companions dispersed to differe nt parts of S Saint Torquat First bishop of Cadiz and leader of the group of the seven apostles of Spain. pain, which they enlightened with the lights of the faith. Nothing is known of the martyrdom of these apostles.
Posthumous miracles and local devotions
Description of the miracles associated with Saint Torquatus and the location of the relics and churches dedicated to the seven companions throughout Spain.
It is said that an olive tree, planted by the h and of Saint saint Torquat First bishop of Cadiz and leader of the group of the seven apostles of Spain. Torquatus in front of the church dedicated to him in Cadiz, miraculously bloomed every year on the day of the apostle's feast, to the great astonishment of the idolaters. His body was once seen, and perhaps is still seen today, in a monastery of Saint-Remol, near the city of Ourense, in Galicia. Avila possesses a church of Saint Secun saint Second One of the seven apostles, associated with the city of Avila. dus and believes itself to be in possession of his relics, transferred to a magnificent chapel built through the efforts of Bishop Jerome-Mary. Saint Caecilius is the patron of a parish in Granada. The Aragonese have a great devotion to Saint Indaletius, whose relics they possess. The body of Saint Euphrasius is in Galicia, where a church dedicated to him can be seen on the mountain of Val d'Immalo, near a convent of Saint-Remol. The feast of these martyrs is celebrated on May 15.
Proper of Spain.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Sent on mission by Saint Peter and Saint Paul
- Landing in Cadiz
- Miracle of the collapse of the stone bridge while pursuing the idolaters
- Mass conversions in Cadiz
- Dispersion of the seven missionaries into different regions of Spain
Miracles
- Selective collapse of a stone bridge engulfing the idolatrous pursuers
- Annual miraculous blooming of an olive tree planted by Saint Torquatus on his feast day