St. Symphorian of Autun

St. Symphorian of Autun (died c. 178, by traditional dating) was a young man of noble Christian family in the Gallic city of Augustodunum, the modern Autun, during the persecutions of the second century. According to his ancient acts, he refused to bow before an image of the goddess Cybele carried in procession and openly mocked the worship of idols, for which he was arrested and brought before the Roman authorities.

Steadfast under interrogation and threats, he was condemned and led out to be beheaded. As he was taken to his death, his mother is said to have called out to him from the city wall, urging him to be faithful and to remember the living God — one of the most memorable scenes in early Gallic martyr literature. His cult was ancient and important in Gaul; a great basilica and monastery at Autun were dedicated to him, and he is honored as one of the protomartyrs of the region.