Feast of Sts. Agrippinus of Autun, Droctoveus of Autun, and Germanus of Paris (March 10)

Above:  Gaul in 561 C.E.

SAINT AGRIPINNUS OF AUTUN (DIED 538)

Roman Catholic Bishop of Autun

His feast transferred from July 9

Who ordained

SAINT GERMANICUS OF PARIS (CIRCA 496-576)

Roman Catholic Bishop of Paris

His feast transferred from May 28

Who mentored

SAINT DROCTOVEUS OF AUTUN (DIED CIRCA 580)

Roman Catholic Abbot

St. Germanicus was born near Autun, Francia.  St. Agripinnus, Bishop of Autun, ordained him to the priesthood and made him Abbot of St. Symphorien Abbey, Autun.  (I can find no other information about St. Agripinnus.)  In 554 Childebert I, Merovingian King of Paris from 511 to 558, named St. Germanicus Bishop of Paris.  At that time St. Droctoveus filled the vacancy St. Germanicus created at St. Symphorien Abbey.

St. Droctoveus, born at Auxerre, had studied under St. Germanicus at St. Symphorien Abbey.

St. Germanicus was known throughout his life for his extravagant generosity to the poor, receiving the nickname ” Father of the Poor.”  Sometimes this pattern of positive behavior unnerved those around him, in fact.  (If we disturb anyone, may it be with goodness, not maliciousness.)  St. Germanicus was also famous for being an effective evangelist.  And he condemned immoral behavior at the royal court, even excommunicating Charibert I, King of Paris from 561 to 567, who was infamous for his dissolute behavior.  Furthermore, St. Germanicus strove unsuccessfully to end the wars among the nephews of Childebert I:

• Sigebert I, King of Austrasia from 561 to 575;
• Charibert I, King of Paris from 561 to 567;
• Guntram, King of Burgundy from 561 to 592;
• Chilperic I, King of Soisson from 561 to 584.

In 558 St. Germanus dedicated St. Vincent’s Church (with a monastery nearby) in Paris.  The church and abbey took the name St. Germain (a variation on St. Germanus) after he died, with St. Droctoveus as the first abbot.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

DECEMBER 13, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF ELLA J. BAKER, WITNESS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

THE FEAST OF SAINT LUCY OF SYRACUSE, ROMAN CATHOLIC MARTYR

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lord God,

you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses.

Grant that we, encouraged by the example of your servants

Saint Agripinnus of Autun,

Saint Germanus of Paris,

and Saint Droctoveus of Autun,

may persevere in the course that is set before us and,

at the last, share in your eternal joy with all the saints in light,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.  Amen.

–Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), page 59

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