Vincent of Dax

Holy Hieromartyr Vincent of Dax, also called Vincent of Xaintes, is regarded as the first bishop of Dax in Gascony (south-⁠western France). His life and work are poorly documented. He lived between the 3rd and 4th centuries in Novempopulania. According to a manuscript of the 8th century, he was put to death around the 4th century together with his brother Laetus.

The oldest mention of his veneration is a note added to the Wolfenbüttel manuscript (772) of the Hieronymian Martyrology: "in the city of Dax, the passion of Saint Vincent, bishop and martyr". Mozarabic calendars of the mid-11th century name Vincent and Laetus with their companions, and the breviaries of Dax, from the second half of the 13th century, contain a legendary life of them. He is commemorated on 1 September, at Dax and at Auch, by the Western calendar (new style). The church of Saint-⁠Vincent-⁠de-⁠Xaintes at Dax stands on the presumed site of his martyrdom, and other churches are dedicated to him, among them that of Belhade (11th century) and that of Hendaye. He is honored as a saint of the undivided Church.