Fermin
Fermin (also Firmin, from Latin Firminus; Spanish FermÃn) was a legendary holy man and martyr, traditionally venerated as the co-patron saint of Navarre, Spain. His death may be associated with either the Decian persecution (250) or Diocletianic Persecution (303).
Saint Fermin | |
|---|---|
Saint Fermin, depicted in an eighteenth-century oil painting | |
| Bishop and Martyr | |
| Born | Pamplona, Spain |
| Died | Amiens, France |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 25 September; 7 July in Pamplona, Spain |
| Patronage | Amiens, France, Lesaka, Spain, Navarre, Spain. |
Although he is said to have lived in the third century, Fermin's legend is a creation of the ninth century. It probably originates in the diocese of Toulouse, which endeavoured to spread the devotion to Saint Fermin. If there was a historical Fermin he is wholly unknown and was probably no more than a name on a tombstone around which an edifying legend was crafted.
According to the legend, a senator from Pamplona named Firmus was converted to Christianity by Honestus and persuaded Saturninus to come to Pamplona to baptise him. There the bishop preached to large crowds and baptised some 40,000 people over three days. Firmus's son, Firminus (Fermin), was entrusted to Honestus for his Christian education and at age 31 went to Toulouse to be consecrated by Saturninus's successor, Honoratus. Fermin then went to preach in northern Gaul, where he became associated with the city of Amiens. He was persecuted and ultimately martyred.
Fermin's feast is celebrated in Pamplona with a series of festivities, the Sanfermines, including the famous Running of the Bulls. He is also venerated at Amiens.