St. Benignus of Dijon

St. Benignus of Dijon is an early martyr venerated from ancient times at Dijon in Burgundy, Gaul, where his tomb was a place of pilgrimage. According to the tradition later gathered into his acts, he was a missionary priest — associated in legend with St. Polycarp of Smyrna and the evangelization of the region — who preached the Gospel in the area and suffered martyrdom for the faith during the Roman persecutions, by tradition in the second century.

His grave at Dijon fell into obscurity until, in the sixth century, St. Gregory of Tours records that the bishop of Langres rediscovered and restored his cult after learning of the sanctity of the forgotten tomb. A great abbey church of Saint-Bénigne rose over his relics and became one of the most important religious centers of Burgundy. Though the historical details of his life are uncertain, his ancient veneration is well established, and he is honored as the apostle and patron of Dijon.