Antoine Deynan was a Catholic priest from Nagasaki who lived during the late 16th century. As a member of the Franciscan order, he was part of a religious community during a period of increasing tension between the Japanese government and Christian missionaries. In 1597, he was arrested alongside twenty-five others for violating prohibitions against preaching the Christian faith. He was eventually executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki, becoming recognized as one of the 26 Martyrs of Japan.
Death and martyrdom
Following his arrest in early 1597, Deynan was paraded through various towns as part of a procession of captives. During this journey, the group faced physical abuse and verbal hostility from crowds. On February 5, 1597, he was executed by crucifixion on a hill overlooking Nagasaki, a death shared by his fellow martyrs.
Veneration
The Catholic Church canonized him and his companions in 1862 under the direction of Pope Pius IX. He is commemorated alongside the other martyrs on February 6. His memory is also honored in the liturgical calendars of the Anglican Communion and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.