Zacharias of Vienne
Zacharias of Vienne was traditionally the second Bishop of Vienne, venerated as one of the first Christian evangelists in France. He is remembered for his supposed martyrdom in 106 AD during the reign of Emperor Trajan and is a patron saint of the city of Vienne.
- Feast Day
- 26 May
- Century
- 2nd century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›Zacharias of Vienne was traditionally the second bishop of Vienne.
- ›He is considered one of the first Christian evangelists in France.
- ›Tradition states he lived in Vienne at the end of the first century.
- ›He was allegedly martyred in 106 AD by the Prefect Pompey under Emperor Trajan.
- ›He is venerated locally and is a patron saint of Vienne.
- ›His feast day is celebrated on 26 may.
Zachary, Zachariah
City of Vienne
About Zacharias of Vienne
Zacharias of Vienne, also known as Zachary or Zachariah, is traditionally regarded as the second Bishop of Vienne in what is now Isère, France. His veneration centers on his role as an early Christian evangelist and his supposed martyrdom.
Life and Ministry
Tradition holds that Zacharias lived in Vienne at the close of the first century and was elected by the people to serve as their second bishop. As Christianity was forbidden within the Roman Empire, he is said to have been martyred in 106 AD. His death is attributed to the Prefect Pompey, acting on the orders of Emperor Trajan.
Veneration
Zacharias of Vienne is venerated locally and is recognized as one of the patron saints of the city of Vienne. His cult has been confirmed by the Roman Catholic Church, and his feast day is observed on 26 May. The historical evidence for early bishops of Vienne is limited, making the details of Zacharias's life and death primarily a matter of tradition.
Historical Context
The early history of the Archdiocese of Vienne is marked by a scarcity of definitive historical records. For instance, while Saint Verus is documented as bishop in 314 AD, it remains unclear if he shared a name with an earlier bishop listed in the succession. This lack of robust documentation applies to many early figures, including Zacharias.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Zacharias of Vienne?
Zacharias of Vienne was traditionally the second Bishop of Vienne. He is also known as one of the first Christian evangelists in France.
When was Zacharias of Vienne martyred?
Tradition states that Zacharias of Vienne was martyred in 106 AD. This occurred during the reign of Emperor Trajan.
What is Zacharias of Vienne remembered for?
He is remembered as one of the first Christian evangelists in France and for his supposed martyrdom. He is also a patron saint of the city of Vienne.
When is the feast day of Zacharias of Vienne celebrated?
The feast day of Zacharias of Vienne is celebrated on 26 May. His cult has been confirmed by the Roman Catholic Church.
What is the historical evidence for Zacharias of Vienne?
There is a scarcity of historical evidence regarding the early bishops of the Archdiocese of Vienne. The tradition of Zacharias is based on historical accounts that are not always definitively verifiable for this early period.
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