Firmin of Amiens

Saint Firmin (Fermin) of Amiens, hieromartyr, was bishop of Amiens, born in Pamplona in Navarre, and put to death for his faith in Christ, according to tradition on 25 September 303, in the time of Diocletian's persecution. He is regarded as patron of Navarre and is also venerated at Amiens. The first texts about him date from the ninth century, although he is said to have lived in the third.

The legend

According to the legend, Firmin was born in Pamplona, to a senator, Firmus (Firmo), and Eugenia. His father was brought to the faith by Honestus, a disciple of Saint Saturninus, bishop of Toulouse, and Saturninus came to Pamplona and baptized him. It is said that Saturninus preached there before great crowds and baptized about forty thousand people in three days. Firmin was entrusted to Honestus for Christian education and at thirty-⁠one went to Toulouse, where he was ordained, according to the local legend, by Saturninus's successor, Honoratus. He returned to Pamplona as its first bishop. After some years he preached the Gospel in Aquitaine, Auvergne and Anjou, then settled at Amiens, where he was likewise bishop. The authorities of Amiens imprisoned him and later beheaded him.

Relics and veneration

According to the Golden Legend, the discovery and translation of his relics, in the time of Bishop Salvius of Amiens, were accompanied by miracles: a sweet fragrance rose from the grave, melting the ice and snow, making flowers grow, healing the sick and bending the trees toward the saint. According to the legend, the place of the body was revealed to Salvius, who had it carried to Amiens cathedral. The Abbey of Saint-⁠Acheul at Amiens was founded in 1085 on his supposed tomb. The veneration of Firmin was of great religious and economic importance for Amiens in the Middle Ages, and his image appears in major works of art in the cathedral there.

When some relics were brought back to Pamplona, in 1196, the city decided to mark the event with an annual festival. Over the following centuries the saint's feast, the fair and the running of the bulls merged into the Sanfermines festival, between 6 and 14 July, world famous for the encierro, the running of the bulls through the streets of Pamplona. At Pamplona his martyrdom is commemorated on 25 September in the basilica of San Fermín de Aldapa. Firmin is regarded, with Saint Francis Xavier, as principal patron of Navarre. He is commemorated on 25 September and on 7 July.