Urban of Langres

Saint Urban of Langres (Urbanus), born in 327 and died around 390, was the sixth bishop of Langres, from 374 until his death; his sister was Leodegaria. According to the legend, soon after he took office political turmoil broke out and he was driven from his house. He hid from his persecutors in a vineyard, where the vine-⁠dressers sheltered him, and he brought them to Christianity. They then helped him in his covert ministry, as he moved from town to town through the vineyards. For this reason Urban became the patron of vine-⁠dressers, especially in Burgundy.

His cult is linked to the weather: old German sayings say that the feast days of Pancras and Urban, if without rain, bring a rich harvest. He is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 2 April (new style; 15 April in the old style); at Langres he is also commemorated on 23 January.