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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

Symphorianus, martyr of Autun

Saint ID

S00322

Number in BH

BHL 7967-7970

Reported Death Not Before

200

Reported Death Not After

300

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Martyrs
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00367Gregory of Tours writes the Glory of the Martyrs (Liber in Gloria Martyrum), in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594. Overview entry.
E00575Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Martyrs (51), tells of relics and a reliquary of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) surviving fire in 532 in Thiers (central Gaul). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
E02024Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (2.15), recounts how the priest Eufronius, later bishop of Autun (c. 452-471), built the church of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) in Autun (central Gaul), and supplied the marble cover for the tomb in Tours of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.
E02320Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (8.30), recounts how in 585 military commanders of King Guntram, whose troops had ravaged the area around Clermont, sought sanctuary from the king's wrath in Autun (central Gaul), in the church of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322). Guntram condemns their evil actions, which had included the scattering and destruction of relics of the saints. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 585/594.
E02392Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (10.31), gives the list of fasts and vigils instituted by Perpetuus, the sixth bishop of Tours (bishop 460-490), in the churches of Tours (most frequently in that of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050)), the majority associated with the commemoration of saints, both local and international. These fasts and vigils were still being held in Gregory of Tours' times. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 591/594.
E02698Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Confessors (76), tells how *Simplicius (bishop of Autun, mid 4th c., S01292) made the statue of the pagan goddess Berecynthia, which was being carried around the countryside of Autun (central Gaul), fall from its wagon and become immobile; as a result many people were converted; in his account Gregory refers to a Martyrdom of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 587/588.
E02711Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Confessors (79), tells of the discovery and translation of the body of *Ursinus (first bishop of Bourges, S01294), which was buried under a vineyard. Its primary discoverer was Agustus, who had first built an oratory at Brives (close to Bourges, central Gaul) to *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), where relics of the saint cured him of severe disability, and had then become abbot of the church of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) just outside Bourges, built by Bishop Probianus. Ursinus appeared to Agustus in a vision and asked him to look for his tomb, but Probianus dismissed the story; Ursinus appeared again, this time also to *Germanus (bishop of Paris, ob. 576, S01166), who was visiting Bourges; the tomb and uncorrupted body were found. Ursinus' sarcophagus was lifted and brought to the church, entering it with the help of the saint, who performs miracles there. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 587/588.
E04906The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 3 August.
E04926The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 21 August.
E04927The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 22 August.
E05231Gregory of Tours, in his Miracles of Julian (30), describes how the possessed complained at the presence of many saints attending the feast of *Julian (martyr of Brioude, S00035) in Brioude (central Gaul): *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), *Privatus (bishop and martyr of Javols, S01184), *Ferreolus (soldier and martyr of Vienne, S01893), *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) and *Saturninus (bishop and martyr of Toulouse, S00289). Written in Latin in Clermont and Tours (central and north-west Gaul), 573/587.
E05627Bede, in his Martyrology, records the feast on 24 September in Autun (central Gaul) of *Andochius, Thyrsus and Felix (martyrs of Saulieu, S02094), who were sent to Gaul by *Polycarp (bishop and martyr of Smyrna, S00004); *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) also performed miracles there. Written in Latin at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 725/731.
E05672The Latin Life of *Amator (bishop of Auxerre, ob. c. 418, S01980) depicts Amator's life, celibate marriage, and miracles, and his interactions with his successor, *Germanus (bishop of Auxerre, ob. c. 448, S00455). It describes how Amator visited and consecrated the shrine of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) at Autun (central Gaul), and also refers to the shrine of *Andochius and Thyrsus (martyrs of Autun, S02094). Written at Auxerre (central Gaul) in the late 6th or very early 7th century. Overview entry.
E06245Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem on virginity (8.3), when describing the court of heaven lists numerous saints with the cities of their resting-place. Written in Latin in Gaul, probably in the early 570s.
E06462The Latin first Martyrdom of *Leudegar (bishop and martyr of Autun, ob. 677/9, S02098) records the saint's life, martyrdom, miracles, and early cult. Written at Autun (central Gaul), 680/84.
E06482The Latin Martyrdom of *Praeiectus (bishop and martyr of Clermont, ob. 676, S02425) records the saint's life, martyrdom (alongside his companion *Amarinus, abbot and martyr of Clermont, S03021) and miracles. Written probably at or near Clermont (central Gaul), c. 680/700.
E06496The Latin Martyrdom of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) tells how, under the emperor Aurelian, Symphorianus refused to worship Berecynthian Cybele and the other gods, and was martyred; the Martyrdom refers to the construction of a church dedicated to Symphorianus by an unnamed bishop of Autun [probably Euphronius, bishop c. 450-c. 480]. Written in Gaul, probably in the mid to late 5th century, or perhaps slightly earlier.
E06714Venantius Fortunatus writes the Life of *Germanus (bishop of Paris, ob. 576, S01166), outlining his life, first as abbot of the monastery of saint *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) in Autun (central Gaul), and then as bishop of Paris, and listing many miracles. The churches and graves of other saints, particularly Symphorianus, also feature in the narrative. Written in Latin, probably in Poitiers (western Gaul), 576/613.
E07748List of relics and diptych from the monastery of the Holy *Apostles (S02422) and *Martyrs (S02818) at Arles (southern Gaul), giving the names of saints whose relics were deposited in the monastery and the people for whom prayers were to be offered in the liturgy. The list contains the names of all the Apostles, as well as *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033), *John the Baptist (S00020), and *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), together with four Gallic martyrs, *Genesius (martyr of Arles, S00263), *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322), *Baudilius (martyr of Nîmes, S00383), and *Victor (martyr of Marseille, S00382), and three Gallic bishops, *Hilary (bishop of Poitiers, ob. 367, S00183), *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), and *Caesarius (bishop of Arles, ob. 542, S00491). Written in Latin at Arles, in 600/650.
E08222The Gothic Missal compiles liturgical texts for the celebration of saints' feasts throughout the year. Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710. Overview entry.
E08247The Gothic Missal includes prayers for the celebration of mass on the feast day of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322). Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710.
E08398The will of Lando, bishop of Reims (mid-7th c.), leaves property to many churches of Reims. Will of mid-7th c.; summary, written in Latin in the 940s by Flodoard, in his History of the Church of Reims (2.6).
E08408The will of Ermentrude/Erminethrudis outlines the arrangements for numerous bequests of possessions, properties and slaves; among the beneficiaries are churches dedicated to various saints in or near Paris (northern Gaul). Written in Latin at Paris, 6th or 7th c, perhaps c. 630, or after c. 650.
E08411A charter issued by Ansbert, bishop of Autun, grants properties to the cathedral church of Autun dedicated to *Nazarius (martyr of Milan, S00281), to the church of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322), and to the oratory dedicated to *Leudegar (bishop and martyr of Autun, ob. 677/9, S02098) at this latter church, where Ansbert hopes to be buried. The charter further notes that Ansbert's sister Segolena has dedicated herself to *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033). Written in Latin in Gaul, 5 August 696.
E08523The Latin Martyrdom of *Andochius, Thyrsus and Felix (martyrs of Saulieu, S02094) recounts how *Polycarp (bishop and martyr of Smyrna, S00004) sent Andochius and Thyrsus to Gaul; arriving at Marseille, they proceeded to Autun and to Saulieu (both in eastern Gaul), where Felix, a merchant, offered them hospitality; on the arrival of the emperor Aurelian, all three were arrested, tortured and martyred. Written in eastern Gaul, possibly in the early 6th c.
E08561The Life of Amator describes how *Amator (bishop of Auxerre, ob. 418, S01980) visited and consecrated the shrine of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) in Autun, central Gaul, towards the end of his episcopate (388-418), and on the same occasion healed three lepers. Written in Latin in Auxerre (central Gaul), 561/605.