Saint Geremarus | |
|---|---|
 Statue of Germer in the chapel of Saint-Germer-de-Fly Abbey | |
| Born | 608 Vardes, Neuf-Marché |
| Died | 658 near Beauvais |
| Feast | 24 September |
Saint Geremarus (or Germer, Geremar, Geremaro; died 658) was a Frankish monk and abbot. His feast day is 24 September.
The oldest surviving biography of Saint Geremarus was composed in the 9th century, and was revised three centuries later, so its historical accuracy is very dubious. It is said that he was born in Vardes, Neuf-Marché, 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Beauvais, France, and was educated at the Episcopal School in Beauvais. He held high positions in the courts of the Merovingian kings Dagobert I (r. 629–639) and Clovis II (r. 639–657). He had two daughters and a son who died in infancy. [1]
Geremarus met Audoin at Dagobert's court, and on his advice founded the Isle-sur-Epte Abbey (now Saint-Pierre-Bois). Audoin later ordained him as a priest. About 649 he moved to the Pental Abbey , where he became the superior, but left after a revolt against his leadership. Again on Audoin's advice he founded a new monastery in Fly, now Saint-Germer-de-Fly Abbey. He died about three years afterwards. [1]
The Monks of Ramsgate wrote in their Book of Saints (1921),
Geremarus (St.) Abbot (Sept. 24)
(7th century) Born A.D. 608, of rich and noble parents, the Merovingian King Dagobert I made him (with his friends Eloi and Ouen) Royal Councillors. By his saintly wife, Domana, he had three children, of whom the youngest, Amalberga, is honoured as a Saint. When free to do so, he entered a monastery, and later became its Abbot; but, after an attempt on his life, he retired for five years to a hermit’s cell. Finally, he founded another monastery near Beauvais, and a few years afterwards died a holy death as Abbot of the same (A.D. 658). [2]
The hagiographer Alban Butler (1710–1773) wrote in his Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints under September 24,
Saint Germer, or Geremar, Abbot
His parents, Rigobert and Aga, were of the prime nobility in the territory of Beauvais. He was born at their castle in the village Warandra, in the reign of King Clotaire; married a pious lady named Domana, and whilst yet a layman, built a monastery in honour of Saint Peter, called the Island, which was afterwards destroyed by the Normans, and is now an estate belonging to Saint Germer’s abbey. Germer, by the advice of Saint Owen, made his monastic profession in the monastery of Pental, in the territory of Rouen. He was soon after chosen abbot, but finding the monks averse to regularity he left the abbacy, and led an anchoretical life in a cave near the river Seine five years and six months. His only son Amalbert, dying, was buried in Saint Peter’s monastery. Germer, with the estate which reverted to him from his son’s death, founded the monastery of Fley or Flaviacum, now Saint Germer’s, five leagues from Beauvais towards Rouen, in which he assembled a community of fervent monks, in 655. Having governed this house three years and a half, he happily died on the 24th of September, 658. His body was interred in the church of his abbey, which soon after took his name. His relics, for fear of the Norman plunderers, were conveyed secretly to Beauvais, where they are still kept in the cathedral, except the bones of one arm, which have been given back to Saint Germer’s. [3] In 1643 August Potier, bishop of Beauvais, placed monks of the congregation of Saint Maur in this abbey, and erected in it a great school for the humanity studies to the end of rhetoric. [4]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Amandus, commonly called Saint Amand, was a bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht and one of the catholic missionaries of Flanders. He is venerated as a saint, particularly in France and Belgium.
Sigebert III was the Merovingian king of Austrasia from 633 to his death around 656. He was described as the first Merovingian roi fainéant —do-nothing king—, in effect the mayor of the palace ruling the kingdom throughout his reign. However he lived a pious Christian life and was later sanctified, being remembered as Saint Sigebert of Austrasia in the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church.
Richarius of Celles was a Frankish hermit, monk, and the founder of two monasteries. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Audoin, venerated as Saint Audoin, was a Frankish bishop, courtier, hagiographer and saint. He authored Vita Sancti Eligii which outlines the life and deeds of Eligius, his close friend and companion in the royal court and the Church.
Jumièges Abbey, formally the Abbey of St Peter at Jumièges, was a Benedictine monastery. Its ruins are situated in the commune of Jumièges in the Seine-Maritime Departement of Normandy, France.
Saint Anstrudis was the daughter of Saint Blandinus and Saint Sadalberga, the founder of the Abbey of St. John at Laon. She was also the sister of Saint Baldwin.
Remaclus was a Benedictine missionary bishop who is venerated as a saint. For his life, see Vita Remacli Episcopi at Abbatis, in: Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores rerum Merovingicarum, 5
Saint Balderic was the founding abbot of Montfaucon.
Saint Wandregisel was a Frankish courtier, monk, and abbot.
Wulfsige III was a medieval Bishop of Sherborne and is considered a saint.
Adalbert I of Ostrevent was a 7th-century Frankish nobleman of the court of King Clovis II of France. He is recognized as a saint, and is commemorated on both 2 February and 2 May.
Saint Fiodhairle Ua Suanaigh was an Irish abbot who was considered to be a saint. His feast day is 1 October.
Saint Bécán was an Irish monk who founded a monastery at Kilbeggan and is considered by some to be one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. His feast day is 5 April.
Saint Turiaf of Dol was a Breton abbot and bishop of the ancient Diocese of Dol.
Saint Oduvald was a Scottish nobleman, monk, and abbot of Melrose Abbey. His feast day is 26 May.
Saint Meneleus was a French monk who founded the Menat Abbey.
Saint Thierry or Theodoric of Mont d'Hor ; Born in march 9; died 533) was a disciple of Saint Remigius who became abbot of Saint-Thierry Abbey, near Reims, France. His feast day is 1 July.
Saint Suranus was an abbot in Umbria, Italy who was martyred by Lombards. His feast day is 24 January.
Saint Silaus of Lucca was an Irish bishop who died in Lucca, Tuscany, while returning from a pilgrimage. His feast day is 17 May.
Saint Rodingus was an Irish monk and abbot in Beaulieu-en-Argonne, France. His feast day is 17 September.
