Saint Martin of Tours was a 4th century Christian saint and bishop. He was from Pannonia, a Roman province located in what is now Hungary and Croatia.
Martin joined the Roman army at a young age and served as a soldier for several years. However, his Christian faith prompted him to leave the army and devote himself to monastic life. He joined a monastery in Italy and was soon ordained a priest.
In 371, Martin was appointed bishop of Tours, France. He devoted his life to serving the poor and spreading the Christian faith in his region. He was known for his generosity and compassion towards those less fortunate and was respected by people from all walks of life.
Martin is also known for reconciling Christians with Gentiles in his area, encouraging peaceful coexistence between the two groups. His devotion to love and tolerance won him great popularity and he became one of the most revered saints of the Roman Catholic Church.
Saint Martin is celebrated annually on November 11, and he is often depicted in religious art cutting off his cloak to give to a poor man, an event that has become one of his best-known miracles. He is also considered the patron of France and is revered in many other countries around the world.