"Today, on Saint Martin's day, there's nothing better than telling the Legend of Saint Martin."
Legend has it that one day, a Roman soldier named Martin was on his way to his homeland. The weather was very cold and Martinho found a beggar who asked for alms. To protect him a little from the cold, Martinho tore his cloak in two and gave a half to the beggar.
At that moment, the weather warmed up. The change in time will have been Martinho's reward, thanks to his kindness to that man.
Normally, on the eve and on Saint Martin's Day, the weather improves and the sun comes out, as happened with Saint Martin. This event is popularly known as the “summer of São Martinho”.
But who was Saint Martin?!
Martin of Tours (Latin: Sanctus Martinus Turonensis; 316 – 8 November 397) was the third bishop of Tours, one of the largest cities in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. He became one of France's most familiar and recognizable Christian saints, heralded as the patron saint of the Third Republic and patron of many communities and organizations across Europe. A native of Pannonia (in modern Central Europe), he converted to Christianity at a young age.
He served in the Roman cavalry in Gaul, but left military service sometime before 361, when he became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers, establishing the monastery at Liggé. He was consecrated bishop of Caesaroduno (Tours) in 371. As bishop he was active in suppressing the remnants of the Gallo-Roman religion, but he opposed violent persecution of the Priscilialist sect of ascetics.
His life was recorded by a contemporary hagiographer, Sulpicio Severo. Some of his travel accounts may have been interpolated from his lifetime to validate the earliest sites of his cult.
He is best known for his report of using his military sword to cut his cloak in two, to give half to a beggar clad only in rags in the depths of winter.
His sanctuary in Tours has become a famous stopping point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. His cult was revived in French nationalism during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/1 and, as a consequence, he was seen as a patron saint of France during the French Third Republic.
Phrases and Proverbs of Saint Martin
For S. Martinho, sow beans and flax.
If winter doesn't go wrong, I'll have it at S. Martinho.
If you want to amaze your neighbour, plow, weed and manure in S. Martinho.
On S. Martinho's day, go to the winery and taste the wine.
On St. Martin's day, chestnuts, bread and wine.
On St. Martin's Day, a magustinho is made with two chestnuts.
St. Martin's Day, drill your pipinho.
St. Martin's Day, fire, chestnuts and wine.
In S. Martinho, all the must is good wine.
Source: Wikipedia e Calendarr
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