Eucherius of Orléans
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| Saint Eucherius of Orléans | |
|---|---|
| Bishop and Confessor | |
| Born | c. 687 AD, Orléans, France |
| Died | 743 AD, Cologne, Germany |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | February 20 |
| Attributes | Bishop, Confessor |
 Saints Portal |
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Saint Eucherius of Orléans (Orléans, c. 687–February 20, 743 AD), nephew of Suavaric, bishop of Auxerre, was Bishop of Orléans.
His meditations on the Epistles of St. Paul influenced him to abandon the world in 714. He retired to the Abbey of Jumiége in the diocese of Rouen. After seven years his uncle, Suavaric, Bishop of Orléans, died. The reputation of his virtue must have been very great, for a deputation was sent to Charles Martel, then mayor of the palace, who practically governed France, to beg that St. Eucherius might be elected to the vacant See. The request was granted in spite of his repugnance, and St. Eucherius was forced to leave his beloved solitude to assume the episcopal dignity in 721.
His apostolic zeal was tempered with such meekness that he was beloved by all who knew him. Having opposed the elevation of Charles Martel and the latter's confiscation of church property to fund his war efforts against the Moorish invasions from Al-Andalus, St. Eucherius found himself out of favor with the new Carolingian dynasty. When Charles Martel returned from his victory at the Battle of Tours, he stopped in Orléans and promptly exiled St. Eucherius to Cologne. St. Eucherius retired to the monastery of St. Tron, where he spent the remainder of his life in prayer and contemplation. He died there in 743 AD.
[edit] References
- Lives of the Saints: For Every Day of the Year edited by Rev. Hugo Hoever, S.O.Cist., Ph.D., New York: Catholic Book Publishing Co., (1955)
