Baring-Gould’s sources: Galilean and Modern Roman Martyrologies. Authority: — An Account of the Martyrdom by an anonymous writer of uncertain date,] In the 8th cent. Provence was exposed to numerous incursions of the Saracens. The island of Lerins was the monastic metropolis of the South of France — it was to Provence what Iona was to Scotland, and Lindisfarne to Northumbria. In one of these irruptions of the Saracens, probably in 730, the island of Lerins was invaded by the unbelievers. Porcarius the Abbot was well aware of the danger, he foresaw death when he caught sight of the white sails of the fleet on the dark blue horizon. He called together his monks — they are said to have numbered five hundred, but this is perhaps an exaggeration — and bade them prepare for the worst. The Saracens landed and butchered the whole saintly band. And when, after this, the fishermen of the coast saw the sea-mews fluttering and screaming over the deserted island, they thought it was because the wild birds mourned the loss of the monks, who had lived amongst them without harassing them.