Paternus

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Paternus was also a bishop of Zaragoza (Spain) in 1040-1077. Another Paternus is traditionally considered the first bishop of Braga.

Saint Paternus (c. 482-565) was born around the year 482, although the exact year is unknown, in Poitiers. He was born into a Christian family. His father Patranus went to Ireland to spend his days as a hermit in holy solitude. Because of this, Paternus embraced religious life. He became a monk at the Abbey of Marnes in France. Before long, he wished to attain the perfection of Christian virtue by a life of penance in solitude. He went into solitude with his fellow monk, Saint Scubilion. The forest of diocese of Coutances was the place he became a hermit. At a later date, the abbot of the region who knew Paternus recommended him to the bishop of Coutances and the bishop made him a priest in 512. Together with saint Scubilion he evangelized the western coasts and established several monasteries of which he was made the abbot general.