The region around the city of Braga, in modern Portugal, was an important centre for the spreading of Christendom in the Iberian Peninsula.
The Marquis of Mondejar, with all the evidence in his favour, supported the claim of Braga; Pablo Ignacio de Dalmases y Ros [es], the chronicler of Catalonia, that of Tarragona.
It was through Avitus that the priest, Lucian of Caphar Gamala near Jerusalem, made known to the West the discovery of the body of Stephen (December, 415).
The Greek encyclical letter of Lucian was translated into Latin by Avitus and sent to Braga with another for the bishop, Balconius, his clergy, and people, together with a relic of Stephen.
In fact after the destruction of Astorga (433) by the Visigoths, Braga was elevated to the dignity of a metropolitan see in the time of Leo I (440-461).
Among its earlier bishops, besides the traditional Peter already mentioned, the most famous is Martin of Braga who died in 580, noted for his wisdom and holiness.
Isidore of Seville ("De Viris illustribus", c. xxxv) writes that he "was abbot of the monastery of Dumio near Braga, came to Gallaecia from the East, converted the Suevic inhabitants from the heresy of Arianism, taught them Catholic doctrine and discipline, strengthened their ecclesiastical organization, and founded monasteries.
He also left a number of letters in which he recommended a reform of manners, a life of faith and prayer, and giving of alms, the constant practice of all virtues and the love of God."
He had been an apostle to the Nestorians of the Malabar Coast in Farther India and had converted them to Catholicism with the help of missionaries of the various religious orders.