St. Martin of Tours: The Christian Origin of Veteran’s Day
Veterans Day is an annual #UnitedStates holiday honoring military #veterans. In other countries, the day is celebrated as #ArmisticeDay. It recalls the ending of #WorldWarI at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.
Historically, there is a deeper, #Christian meaning to November 11. This is the feast day of Saint Martin (c. 316–397) who led a life of heroic #virtue and had once been a #Soldier. Martin laid down the sword in order to live a life of peace and penance under the gentle yoke of #Jesus Christ. #StMartin is #Europe’s primary example of the transition from soldier to saint; from #war to #peace.
Consequently, #November11 has previously served as a day of signing peace #Treaties (in honor of Saint Martin). Thus, it was fitting to end Europe’s Great War on this same day – the festival of Saint Martin of Tours.
#SaintMartin is the exemplary veteran – a veteran of #Christ. Saint Martin, patron of peace, pray for us.
#ThankYou to all #Veterans for your selfless service to the #USA and for the #freedom you helped to obtain, keep and protect so that all #Americans can have #Life, #Liberty and the #PursuitOfHappieness.
#WW1 #EleventhHour #EleventhDay #HappyVeteransDay #CatholicVeterans
#22PushUps for #22KillVeterans
Historical writing credit to #TaylorMarshall.