Saint Gatian was the founder and first bishop of Tours. He was probably born in Rome and died in Tours on December 20. He came to Gaul around 250 or 251 during the consulate of Decius and Gratus. For nearly fifty years, he dedicated his life to spreading the Christian faith in the third province of Lyonnaise, facing strong resistance from pagan communities. Despite many hardships, he remained steadfast, and by the time of his death the Church in Tours was firmly established.

Later traditions, based mainly on legends that appeared only from the twelfth century onward, claimed that Saint Gatian was one of the seventy two disciples of Christ and that he was sent to Gaul in the first century by Saint Peter. Learned and devout scholars have rejected this view, especially in light of the writings of Gregory of Tours. Gregory, who lived in the sixth century, provides the earliest and most reliable account of Saint Gatian and remains our main source of information about him. 

Saint Gatian died in the year 337, remembered as a faithful missionary who quietly but firmly established Christianity in Tours through perseverance and trust in God.