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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


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


Name

Dionysius/Denis, bishop and martyr of Paris, and his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius

Saint ID

S00349

Number in BH

BHL 2171-2203

Reported Death Not Before

250

Reported Death Not After

255

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Martyrs, Bishops , Groups and pairs of saints, Lesser clergy
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.
E00607Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Martyrs (71), tells of two men miraculously punished in 574 for their attempts to steal the silk cover and a golden dove from the tomb of *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349) in Paris. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
E01530Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (1.30), describes how seven bishops were sent to seven cities in Gaul in the reign of Decius (249-251) and became martyrs or confessors: *Saturninus of Toulouse (S00289), *Dionysius/Denis of Paris (S00349), *Trophimus of Arles (S00617), *Gatianus of Tours (S01175), *Paulus of Narbonne (S00503), *Stremonius of Clermont (S01255), and *Martialis of Limoges (S01168). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.
E02147Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (5.32), tells the story of an oath sworn in 579 on the tomb of *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349), in his church in Paris, which provoked fighting and bloodshed within the church. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 579/594.
E02148Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (5.34), records in the year 580: the death of Dagobert, son of King Chilperic and Fredegund, and his burial in Paris in the church of *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349); how Chilperic and Fredegund carried their sick elder son, Chlodobert, to the church of *Medard (bishop of Vermand buried at Soissons, ob. c. 560, S00168) at Soissons (north-east Gaul) and made vows for their child's recovery; his death and burial at Soissons, in the church of *Crispinus and Crispinianus, (martyrs of Soissons, S01174). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
E02388Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (10.29), tells how a possessed woman saw saints gathering for the death in 591 of *Aredius (monastic founder in the Limousin, ob. 591, S00302) in his monastery in the territory of Limoges (western Gaul): *Julian (martyr of Brioude, S00035), *Privatus (bishop and martyr of Javols, S01184), *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), *Martialis (first bishop of Limoges, S01168), *Saturninus (bishop and martyr of Toulouse, S00289) and *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 591/594.
E04980The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 8 October.
E04981The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 9 October.
E04982The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 10 October.
E05555Venantius Fortunatus writes eleven books of Poems in Latin, mainly in western and north-western Gaul, 565/600; many of them with reference to saints. Overview entry.
E05632Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem (1.11) On the basilica of lord *Dionysius (Dionysius/Denis, bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349), recounts how Leontius, bishop of Bordeaux (south-west Gaul), completed and enlarged the building begun by his predecessor, in 540/571; presumably in the territory of Bordeaux. Written in Latin in Gaul, 565/576.
E05852The Calendar of Willibrord, in its earliest version, records the feasts of various saints in February. Written in Latin at Echternach, Frisia (north-east Gaul), 703/710.
E05936The Chronicle of Fredegar (4.54) describes how in 626 Godinus, son of the Mayor of the Palace Warnacharius, took refuge from the anger of King Chlothar II in the church of *Aper (bishop of Toul, ob. 6th c., S02195) in Toul (eastern Gaul). He is later forced to visit various churches, ostensibly to strengthen his fidelity to Chlothar by swearing oaths in them. Includes references to the burial churches of *Medard (bishop of Vermand buried at Soissons, ob. c. 560, S00168), *Denis/Dionysius (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349), *Anianus (bishop of Orléans, ob. 454, S01206), and *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050). Written in Latin in Gaul/Francia, 659/700.
E05939The Chronicle of Fredegar (4.79) states that when he died in 639, King Dagobert I was buried at Paris in the church of *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349), and describes his patronage of the church, including an attempt to establish a perpetual chant modelled on the practice of the monastery at Agaune dedicated to the *Theban Legion (S00339). Written in Latin in Gaul/Francia, 659/700.
E06133Seventeen authentic Merovingian royal diplomas survive from before 700 which record the gifts, confirmations and favourable rulings of Frankish kings for the monastery dedicated to *Dionysius (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349) outside Paris (Saint-Denis), housing the relics of the saint alongside those of his companions Eleutherius and Rusticus. Written in Latin in Gaul, 584/625-694.
E06223An authentic Merovingian royal diploma records the immunities guaranteed by Childebert III, king of the Franks, to the monastery at Tussonval (northern Gaul) dedicated to *Dionysius (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349) and *Marcellus (probably the late 4th/5th c. bishop of Paris, S01301). Written in Latin, probably at Nogent-sur-Marne (northern Gaul), 696.
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.
E06246Ten episcopal charters of debated authenticity, granting privileges of immunity to monasteries, record various dedications to saints at monastic churches in Gaul. Some of the charters note among their precedents the special privileges already enjoyed by the church at Chalon-sur-Saône dedicated to *Marcellus (martyr of Chalon-sur-Saône, S00323) and 'the place of the saints of Agaune' (north-east Gaul), i.e. its monastery dedicated to *The Theban Legion (martyrs of Agaune, S00339). Written in Latin in Gaul, 637-92.
E06301Audoin's Life of *Eligius (bishop of Noyon, ob. 660, S02032) records across two books the saint's lay and then episcopal career, his posthumous cult, and many miracles. It provides further evidence for many other cults in 7th-century Gaul. Written in Latin in Gaul, possibly in 660/86, with later additions and emendations.
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.
E07074In the Latin Life of Lady *Balthild (queen of the Franks, ob. 680, S02359), the author reports that the saint gave special privileges to the 'senior basilicas' in Gaul, dedicated to *Dionysius (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349), *Germanus (bishop of Paris, ob. 576, S01166), *Medard (bishop of Vermand buried at Soissons, ob. c. 560, S00168), *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Anianus (bishop of Orléans, ob. 453, S01206), and *Martin (bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050). Written in Gaul/Francia, possibly at the monastery at Chelles (near Paris), 680/90.
E07577The Latin Life of *Memmius (first bishop of Châlons-en-Champagne, S01285) tells how Memmius was sent from Rome by *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) to preach in Gaul, together with *Dionysius (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349), *Eucharius (bishop of Trier, 00469), *Sixtus and Sinicius (first bishops of Reims, S02452; Sinicius identified in the Life as bishop of Soissons), and Savinianus, first bishop of Sens, six further unnamed bishops, and two deacons. When one of these dies on the journey, Memmius brings him back to life by placing St Peter's garment on his body. Miracles performed by Memmius at Châlons are described, by which he overcomes pagan opposition to his presence, and is established as bishop; he is joined by his sister, Poma, who also performs miracles. After eighty years as bishop of Châlons, he dies and is buried in a church there, where miracles continue at his tomb. Written in Latin, presumably in Châlons (northern Gaul), at an uncertain date, no later than the 9th c. Full text, and full English translation.
E07613The Latin Deeds of *Austremonius (martyr and first bishop of Clermont, S01255) by Praeiectus of Clermont tells how the saint was sent from Rome with other apostles to Gaul by Pope Clement; of his foundation of the church of Clermont and monastery of Issoire; of his miracles; and of his martyrdom by Jews (together with an unnamed baptised Jewish boy). Written at Issoire or Clermont (both central Gaul), c. 650/75.
E0831535 relic labels at Sens (northern Gaul), datable by their script to the 7th or 8th c., for relics of a great diversity of saints. Written in Latin, perhaps at Sens, or at an earlier stage in their transmission.
E08349Venantius Fortunatus writes the Life of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050). It is an adaptation in epic verse of the Life of Martin and of books 2 and 3 of the Dialogues of Sulpicius Severus; in a final envoi, the book travels from Poitiers to Fortunatus' home city of Ravenna, stopping at the shrines of many saints along the way. Written in Latin, in Poitiers (western Gaul), between 573 and 576. Overview entry.
E08385The Chronicle of Fredegar (4.78) records how in 636 a delegation of Basques/Gascons sought sanctuary in the church of *Dionysius (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349) (Saint-Denis, northern Gaul); there they swore oaths of fidelity to King Dagobert and his sons, which they later broke. Written in Latin in Gaul/Francia, 659/700.
E08401The will of a son (name lost) of Idda records arrangements for the basilica of *Dionysius (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349) at Paris (Saint-Denis), and a church of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) at Chaussy (northern Gaul), where he wishes to be buried with his siblings. Written in Latin, probably at Arthies (northern Gaul), c. 650/700.
E08406A charter issued by Wademer and his wife Ercamberta grants properties to churches dedicated to diverse saints in Paris and elsewhere in northern Gaul, including one dedicated to *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, S00050) at Précy, where they wish to be buried. Written in Latin, probably at Chambly (northern Gaul), 690/91.
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.
E08484Venantius Fortunatus, at the end of his verse Life of St Martin (4.636-7), sends the personified book on a pilgrimage, from Poitiers to the poet's home city of Ravenna; its second stop is at Paris, city of the current Bishop Germanus and of *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349). Written in Latin in Poitiers (north-west Gaul), 573/576.