Saint Apollinaris
Encyclopedia
Saint Apollinaris of Valence (also known as Aplonay) (453-520), born in Vienne
, France
, was bishop of Valence, France, at the time of the irruption of the barbarians. Valence, which was the central see of the recently founded Kingdom of Burgundy
, had been scandalized by the dissolute Bishop Maximus, and the see in consequence had been vacant for fifty years.
Apollinaris was of a family of nobles and saints. He was little over twenty when he was ordained a priest. In 486, when he was thirty-three years old, he was made Bishop of the long vacant See of Valence, and under his care it soon recovered its ancient glory. Abuses were corrected and morals reformed. Bishop Apollinaris was so beloved that the news of his first illness filled the city with consternation. His return to health was considered miraculous. He attended a conference at Lyon
, between the Arians
and Catholics, held in presence of King Gondebaud. He distinguished himself there by his eloquence and learning.
A contestation in defence of marriage brought Apollinaris again into special prominence. Stephen, the treasurer of the kingdom, was living in incest
. The four bishops of the province commanded him to separate from his companion, but he appealed to the King, who sustained his official and exiled the four bishops to Sardinia. As they refused to yield, the King relented, and after some time permitted them to return to their Sees, with the exception of Apollinaris, who had rendered himself particularly obnoxious, and was kept a close prisoner for a year. At last the King, stricken with a severe illness, repented, and the Queen in person came to beg Apollinaris to go to the court to restore the monarch to health. On his refusal, the Queen asked for his cloak to place on the sufferer. The request was granted, the King was cured, and came to beg absolution for his sin. Apollinaris was sixty-four years old when he returned from Sardinia to Valence, and his people received him with every demonstration of joy. He died after an episcopate of thirty-four years, at the age of sixty-seven, his life ending, as it had begun, in the constant exercise of the most exalted holiness.
Valence Cathedral
is dedicated to him.
He visited his cousin Tonantius Ferreolus
in 517.
Vienne
Vienne is the northernmost département of the Poitou-Charentes region of France, named after the river Vienne.- Viennese history :Vienne is one of the original 83 departments, established on March 4, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Poitou,...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, was bishop of Valence, France, at the time of the irruption of the barbarians. Valence, which was the central see of the recently founded Kingdom of Burgundy
Kingdom of Burgundy
Burgundy is a historic region in Western Europe that has existed as a political entity in a number of forms with very different boundaries. Two of these entities - the first around the 6th century, the second around the 11th century - have been called the Kingdom of Burgundy; a third was very...
, had been scandalized by the dissolute Bishop Maximus, and the see in consequence had been vacant for fifty years.
Apollinaris was of a family of nobles and saints. He was little over twenty when he was ordained a priest. In 486, when he was thirty-three years old, he was made Bishop of the long vacant See of Valence, and under his care it soon recovered its ancient glory. Abuses were corrected and morals reformed. Bishop Apollinaris was so beloved that the news of his first illness filled the city with consternation. His return to health was considered miraculous. He attended a conference at Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
, between the Arians
Arianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
and Catholics, held in presence of King Gondebaud. He distinguished himself there by his eloquence and learning.
A contestation in defence of marriage brought Apollinaris again into special prominence. Stephen, the treasurer of the kingdom, was living in incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
. The four bishops of the province commanded him to separate from his companion, but he appealed to the King, who sustained his official and exiled the four bishops to Sardinia. As they refused to yield, the King relented, and after some time permitted them to return to their Sees, with the exception of Apollinaris, who had rendered himself particularly obnoxious, and was kept a close prisoner for a year. At last the King, stricken with a severe illness, repented, and the Queen in person came to beg Apollinaris to go to the court to restore the monarch to health. On his refusal, the Queen asked for his cloak to place on the sufferer. The request was granted, the King was cured, and came to beg absolution for his sin. Apollinaris was sixty-four years old when he returned from Sardinia to Valence, and his people received him with every demonstration of joy. He died after an episcopate of thirty-four years, at the age of sixty-seven, his life ending, as it had begun, in the constant exercise of the most exalted holiness.
Valence Cathedral
Valence Cathedral
Valence Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Valence, Drôme, dedicated to Saint Apollinaris of Valence.It is the seat of the Bishop of Valence....
is dedicated to him.
He visited his cousin Tonantius Ferreolus
Tonantius Ferreolus (senator)
Tonantius Ferreolus , was a vir clarissimus, or Gallo-Roman senator, and Praetorian prefect of Gaul.He lived in Narbo...
in 517.