Saint Martha and the Tarasque - Tarascon/France
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KaPsTeam
N 43° 48.329 E 004° 39.353
31T E 633192 N 4851600
Legend of Saint Martha and the Tarasque.
Waymark Code: WMMY2F
Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Date Posted: 11/22/2014
Views: 9
The Provençal Christian legend is that Martha, Mary Magdalene, Lazarus and other saints (as well as fourteen bishops), were thrown onto a boat, without sail or oar, in Palestine and eventually landed in Marseille in 48 AD.
Martha went up the Rhône and came to Tarascon where a monster, whose den was near the river, was running wild: the Tarasque.
The people of Tarascon begged for help and Saint Martha captured the beast and took it to the people who tore it to pieces and converted to the new religion. She settled in Tarascon and died here in 68 AD.
Saint Martha’s relics were hidden to be saved from the destructive force of the Saracens. A beautiful Romanesque church was consecrated to her in 1199 and we can still see its impressive porch.
The saint’s tomb became more popular than ever for devout pilgrimages and true devotion. It was no surprise to see the houses of prayer and meditation that are monasteries spring up nearby.
Additional Requirement?:
Take a photo of the church or the tomb
Website Source: [Web Link]
What's the Real Story?: Not listed
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