Eutropius of Saintes
Saint Eutropius of Saintes is venerated as the first bishop of Saintes, France. According to tradition, he was a Roman or a Persian of royal descent who was sent to evangelize Gaul either by Saint Clement in the 1st century or by Pope Fabian in the 250s as a companion of Saint Denis.
He lived as a hermit near Saintes and converted to Christianity the governor's daughter, Saint Eustella or Eustelle. According to tradition, the governor was so enraged by his daughter's conversion that he had both her and Eutropius killed. Eutropius was killed by having his head split open with an axe.
Eutropius's tomb is preserved in the Basilica of Saint Eutropius in Saintes, the church dedicated to his cult and one of the city's principal medieval religious monuments.
In the Martyrology
- April 30 Saint Eutrope, first bishop of Saintes