The Christian saint Mamertus (400-475) was born in Vienne to a wealthy Gallo-Roman family from Lyon. The name was derived from the Roman god of war, Mars. He became bishop of Vienne in 461. Around 464, he fell out with Pope Hilarius (+468) over a reorganisation of the dioceses in southern France. Mamertus himself appointed a new bishop in St Dié and was severely reprimanded by the Pope.

Picture left: Mamertus (right) with Apollinaris of Valence (left) and Avitus of Vienne (centre).
Image on the right: St Mamertus during the supplication procession with the Blessed Sacrament.
After many fires, earthquakes and destruction in his home town, Mamertus introduced the "Three Supplications" before Ascension Day in 470, as well as processions to avert danger and to invoke divine help. Mamertus is one of the five ice saints and is commemorated on 11 May (13 October and 14 November in France). He is the patron saint of wet nurses, shepherds and firefighters; against breast diseases, fever and drought. Two calendar sayings:
![]()
For my many years of work as an editor with a wine and culinary focus, I always like to inform myself about special questions at Wine lexicon. Spontaneous reading and following links often leads to exciting discoveries in the wide world of wine.
Dr. Christa Hanten
Fachjournalistin, Lektorin und Verkosterin, Wien