PATTON, abbot of Amabaric, in Scotland, passing into Germany to preach
the gospel, and being chosen bishop of Verdun, Tanco, who had served God
many years in that abbey in great reputation for his singular learning
and piety, was raised to the dignity of abbot. Out of an ardent thirst
after martyrdom, he resigned this charge, and followed his countryman
and predecessor into Germany, where, after some time, he succeeded him
in the see of Verdun, of which he was the third bishop. His success in
propagating the faith was exceeding great, but it was to him a subject
of inexpressible grief to see many who professed themselves Christians,
live enslaved to shameful passions. In order to convert, or at least to
confound them, he preached a most zealous sermon against the vices which
reigned among them; at which a barbarous mob was so enraged as fiercely
to assault him; and one of them, stabbing him with a lance, procured him
the glorious crown of martyrdom, about the year 815. This account of him
is given us by Krantzius, (l. 1, Metrop. c. 22 & 29.) Lesley, l. 5,
Hist. Wion, l. 3, Ligni Vitae.