Papulus

Holy Hieromartyr Papulus (Papoul) was a priest and disciple of Saint Saturninus of Toulouse, with whom he preached in southern Gaul and who suffered like him in the persecution of Diocletian, around 300. He is regarded as the evangelist of the Lauragais. He is a saint of the undivided Church.

According to legend, when Saint Peter consecrated Saturninus bishop he gave him Papulus as companion. At Carcassonne the magistrate Rufinus is said to have imprisoned them in a tower, but they were freed miraculously and went to Toulouse. Saturninus went into Spain, and Papulus stayed in charge of the converts. He is said to have worked countless miracles and converted many pagans; finally, after tortures, he was beheaded. His relics were moved to the church of Saint Saturninus at Toulouse. In the 8th century an abbey was founded in his name, around which the town of Saint-⁠Papoul grew; in 1317 Pope John XXII made its cathedral an episcopal see.

He is commemorated on 3 November, the liturgical date in the Orthodox calendar (the same day number on the old and new calendars).