Germerius
Encyclopedia
Saint Germerius (ca. 480- ca. 560 AD) was bishop of Toulouse from 510 to 560 AD. There is some question as to whether he actually existed. He is the patron saint
of the abbey of Lézat
.
He was a native of Angoulême
, or possibly of Jerusalem.
After coming to Gaul
from Jerusalem, he was ordained a deacon
. He then received an instruction from an angel
telling him to go to Paris where he would be made a bishop
at the age of thirty. He did so, and was made the bishop of Toulouse there.
According to one version of his story, on his way to Toulouse, he was summoned by the king Clovis I
to the royal palace. There, Germerius gave the Eucharist
to the king and his sons and heard their confessions. Later, Clovis asked for the bishop's prayers and offered in exchange whatever Germerius asked. Germerius told him that he wanted an estate in the Toulouse area, specifically, as much area as the shadow of his cloak could cover in Ducorum.
Clovis agreed to give Germerius an area of six miles around Ducorum, and issued a written charter of liberty to substantiate as much. Clovis then requested the bishop to remain a further twenty days, and he agreed to do so.
Upon his arrival in his new territory, Germerius founded two churches. One was dedicated to Saint Martin
and the other to Saint Saturninus
. The former has subsequently been identified as either the church of Saint-Martin in Ox
, a village roughly 4 kilometers southwest of Muret
, or the church of Saint-Martin of Roziniac. Both of these churches fell under the possession of the monastic community Germerius founded. Germerius also established the monastery of Saint-Germier
, which took possession of all these properties.
Clovis is also reported to have given Germerius a number of other gifts, including vestments, the articles required for liturgical practices.
This version of the story is explicitly included in the life of Germerius published by the abbey, as it makes it clear that the estates of the monastery were given to it by the king himself.
He died at Ducorum. His feast day is May 16.
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the abbey of Lézat
Lézat
Lézat is a commune in the Jura department in Franche-Comté in eastern France.-References:*...
.
He was a native of Angoulême
Angoulême
-Main sights:In place of its ancient fortifications, Angoulême is encircled by boulevards above the old city walls, known as the Remparts, from which fine views may be obtained in all directions. Within the town the streets are often narrow. Apart from the cathedral and the hôtel de ville, the...
, or possibly of Jerusalem.
After coming to Gaul
Gaul
Gaul was a region of Western Europe during the Iron Age and Roman era, encompassing present day France, Luxembourg and Belgium, most of Switzerland, the western part of Northern Italy, as well as the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the left bank of the Rhine. The Gauls were the speakers of...
from Jerusalem, he was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
. He then received an instruction from an angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
telling him to go to Paris where he would be made a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
at the age of thirty. He did so, and was made the bishop of Toulouse there.
According to one version of his story, on his way to Toulouse, he was summoned by the king Clovis I
Clovis I
Clovis Leuthwig was the first King of the Franks to unite all the Frankish tribes under one ruler, changing the leadership from a group of royal chieftains, to rule by kings, ensuring that the kingship was held by his heirs. He was also the first Catholic King to rule over Gaul . He was the son...
to the royal palace. There, Germerius gave the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
to the king and his sons and heard their confessions. Later, Clovis asked for the bishop's prayers and offered in exchange whatever Germerius asked. Germerius told him that he wanted an estate in the Toulouse area, specifically, as much area as the shadow of his cloak could cover in Ducorum.
Clovis agreed to give Germerius an area of six miles around Ducorum, and issued a written charter of liberty to substantiate as much. Clovis then requested the bishop to remain a further twenty days, and he agreed to do so.
Upon his arrival in his new territory, Germerius founded two churches. One was dedicated to Saint Martin
Martin of Tours
Martin of Tours was a Bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Around his name much legendary material accrued, and he has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints...
and the other to Saint Saturninus
Saint Saturninus
Saint Saturninus may refer to:*Saturninus , companion of Saints Perpetua and Felicity, martyred in Carthage, feast day: 7 March*Saturnin of Toulouse , first bishop of Toulouse, France, feast day: 29 November*Saturninus Saint Saturninus may refer to:*Saturninus (died c. 203), companion of Saints...
. The former has subsequently been identified as either the church of Saint-Martin in Ox
Ox
An ox , also known as a bullock in Australia, New Zealand and India, is a bovine trained as a draft animal. Oxen are commonly castrated adult male cattle; castration makes the animals more tractable...
, a village roughly 4 kilometers southwest of Muret
Muret
Muret is a commune in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France.It is an outer suburb of the city of Toulouse, even though it does not belong to Greater Toulouse, which it has declined to join...
, or the church of Saint-Martin of Roziniac. Both of these churches fell under the possession of the monastic community Germerius founded. Germerius also established the monastery of Saint-Germier
Saint-Germier
Saint-Germier is the name of several communes in France:* Saint-Germier, Haute-Garonne in the Haute-Garonne department* Saint-Germier, Gers, in the Gers department* Saint-Germier, Deux-Sèvres, in the Deux-Sèvres department...
, which took possession of all these properties.
Clovis is also reported to have given Germerius a number of other gifts, including vestments, the articles required for liturgical practices.
This version of the story is explicitly included in the life of Germerius published by the abbey, as it makes it clear that the estates of the monastery were given to it by the king himself.
He died at Ducorum. His feast day is May 16.