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Aurea of Paris

Aurea of Paris was an abbess of Saint Martial in Paris during the seventh century. She is remembered for her leadership of a large community of virgins and for miracles attributed to her intercession, both during her life and after her death. Her veneration continues in the Orthodox Church.

Feast Day
October 4
Country Or Region
France

Key Facts

  • Aurea of Paris was an abbess of Saint Martial in Paris in the seventh century.
  • She was an immigrant to Paris from Syria.
  • She was appointed abbess around 632 by St. Eligius, who had settled a nunnery of three hundred virgins in Paris.
  • Aurea died of the plague in 666, along with 160 of her sisters.
  • Miracles attributed to her include bringing a woman back to life and curing a blind woman with her arm.
  • Her relics are held at the church of St Eloi in Paris.
Also Known As

Sainte Aure

Death Year
666
Manner of Death
Role Type
Relics Location
church of St. Eloi in Paris

About Aurea of Paris

Aurea of Paris, also known as Sainte Aure, was an abbess of the nunnery of Saint Martial in Paris during the seventh century. Her life and veneration are documented in the hagiographies of St. Ouen and Jonas of Bobbio, who describe her as an immigrant from Syria.

Leadership and Death

Around 632, St. Eligius established a nunnery in Paris with the support of King Dagobert I, appointing Aurea as its abbess. She led a community of three hundred virgins. Aurea died in 666, along with 160 of her sisters, from the plague.

Miracles and Veneration

Aurea is remembered for several miraculous events attributed to her. These include raising a woman from the dead, miraculously producing baked loaves from an empty oven, and healing a blind woman with her arm long after her death. Her relics are preserved at the church of St. Eloi in Paris, where a mural also depicts her.

Liturgical Observance

Her feast day was traditionally observed on October 4th before the Great East-West Schism of 1054, a date still maintained by the Orthodox Church. Following the veneration of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic celebration of her feast was transferred to October 5th.

Source: Wikipedia ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Aurea of Paris?

Aurea of Paris was an abbess of the nunnery of Saint Martial in Paris during the 7th century. She is venerated as a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

When did Aurea of Paris die?

Aurea of Paris died in the year 666. She succumbed to the plague along with 160 of her sisters in the nunnery.

What miracles are attributed to Saint Aurea?

Tradition holds that Aurea of Paris brought a woman back to life so she could retrieve a key, swept red-hot ashes from an oven to produce well-baked loaves, and long after her death, cured a blind woman by the touch of her severed arm.

Where are the relics of Aurea of Paris kept?

The relics of Aurea of Paris are held at the church of St Eloi in Paris. A mural depicting her receiving the veil from St. Eloi is also found in the same church.

What is the feast day of Aurea of Paris?

Before the Great East-West Schism, Aurea of Paris's feast day was universally celebrated on October 4th. This date remains the observance in the Orthodox Church. The Catholic celebration was later transferred to October 5th.