Apollinaris of Valence
Saint Apollinaris of Valence, born in 453, was a bishop of Valence, France, who served during a tumultuous period marked by the irruption of barbarians and the establishment of the Kingdom of the Burgundians. He is remembered for reforming abuses and morals within his see, enduring exile for his defiance of King Sigismund, and for his eventual miraculous intervention in the king's illness.
- Century
- 6th century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›He was born in Vienne, France, in 453.
- ›He became bishop of Valence in 486 after the see had been vacant for fifty years.
- ›Apollinaris reformed abuses and morals within his diocese.
- ›He was exiled to Sardinia for a year due to his defiance of King Sigismund.
- ›His relics were cast into the Rhone by the Huguenots in the sixteenth century.
- ›Valence Cathedral is dedicated to him.
Aplonay
About Apollinaris of Valence
Saint Apollinaris of Valence
Saint Apollinaris of Valence, also known as Aplonay, was a significant ecclesiastical figure in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. Born in Vienne, France, in 453, he hailed from a noble family that included saints and bishops, with his father Hesychius serving as bishop of Vienne and his brother Avitus also holding the episcopal office there. His paternal grandfather was reputedly a western emperor of Rome.
Apollinaris was ordained a priest at a young age and, in 486, at the age of thirty-three, was appointed bishop of Valence. The see had been vacant for fifty years due to scandals involving his predecessor, Bishop Maximus. Under Apollinaris's leadership, abuses were corrected, and morals were reformed, restoring the diocese's previous stature. His pastoral care was so effective that the news of his first illness caused widespread distress in the city.
He participated in significant religious and political events of his time, including a conference at Lyon between Arians and Catholics, held in the presence of King Gundobad, where he demonstrated his eloquence and learning. A notable episode in his life involved a contestation defending marriage. When King Sigismund sustained an official living in incest against the command of four provincial bishops, Apollinaris was among those exiled to Sardinia. His defiance made him particularly obnoxious to the king, and he was held prisoner for a year.
Apollinaris's return from exile is attributed to a miraculous event. When King Sigismund was stricken with a severe illness, the Queen sought Apollinaris's aid. After his refusal to come to court, she requested his cloak, which, when placed on the suffering king, led to his recovery. Apollinaris returned to Valence at the age of sixty-four, after an episcopate of thirty-four years, and died at sixty-seven in 520. King Sigismund himself later achieved sainthood.
His relics were desecrated and cast into the Rhone River by the Huguenots in the sixteenth century. Valence Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Apollinaris of Valence, a testament to his enduring legacy as a reformer and confessor of the faith.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Saint Apollinaris of Valence born?
Saint Apollinaris of Valence was born in 453 in Vienne, France.
What was Apollinaris's role in Valence?
Apollinaris served as the bishop of Valence, France, a city that was the central see of the recently founded Kingdom of the Burgundians. He was appointed in 486 to a see that had been vacant for fifty years.
Why was Apollinaris exiled?
He was exiled to Sardinia for a year because he defied King Sigismund in a matter concerning marriage and incest. The king initially exiled four bishops, but relented for all except Apollinaris, whose defiance made him particularly obnoxious.
How did Apollinaris contribute to the king's recovery?
When King Sigismund fell gravely ill, his queen approached Apollinaris to restore the monarch to health. Although he initially refused to go to court, he granted the queen his cloak to place on the sufferer, after which the king recovered.
What happened to Apollinaris's relics?
His relics were cast into the Rhone River by the Huguenots during the sixteenth century.
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