Foutin was a syncretic amalgam of Priapus with Pothinus, a figure of uncertain historicity alleged by Irenaeus to have been the first bishop of Lyon.
[1] He was believed to have an influence in restoring fertility to barren women and vigor and virility to impotent men.
At Varailles in Provence, waxen images of the members of both sexes were offered to St. Foutin, and suspended to the ceiling of his chapel.
Pierre de L'Estoile commented that, as the ceiling was covered with them, when the wind blew them about, it produced an effect which was calculated to much disturb the devotions of the worshippers.
[3] When Protestants conquered Embrun in 1585, they reported that the relic's head was reddened from the wine.