Saint Remigius
Saint Remigius (born c. 437 AD in Laon, Gaul; died January 13, 533 AD in Reims, Gaul (modern France)) was the Archbishop of Reims who baptized Clovis I, King of the Franks, on Christmas Day 496 AD — an event that determined that France would be a Catholic Christian nation and decisively shaped the course of European history. He is called the "Apostle of the Franks" and held the see of Reims for approximately 70 years. His feast day is October 1.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Remigius
| Saint Remigius | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 01 |
| Profession | Archbishop of Reims (c. 459–533 AD); Apostle of the Franks; baptizer of Clovis I; confessor |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Archdiocese of Reims; Frankish church; France; baptism of Clovis; royal coronation tradition; Merovingian-era Gaulish Christianity |
| Patronage | France; the city of Reims; the Archdiocese of Reims; those who work with the newly baptized; the French royal tradition; catechists; those with blindness and disability (miracles attributed to him) |
| Attributes | Archbishop's vestments; baptismal shell or font (baptism of Clovis); dove (the ''Sainte Ampoule''); Clovis kneeling (the baptism scene); the Holy Vial; Reims Cathedral silhouette |
| Birthplace | Laon, Gaul (modern France) |
| Death Place | Reims, Gaul (modern France) |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died January 13, 533 AD, in Reims, aged approximately 96; he had served as Archbishop of Reims for approximately 70 years — one of the longest archiepiscopal tenures in history; he died revered as the father of the Frankish church |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Saint-Remi, Reims — his tomb and relics; UNESCO World Heritage Site; Romanesque masterpiece; active pilgrimage site; his relics in the crypt below the high altar |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); October 1; Feast in France and particularly in Reims |
| Historic Class | Double (October 1) in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Remigius was born c. 437 in Laon, Gaul, into a distinguished Gallo-Roman family. He was appointed Archbishop of Reims at approximately age 22 (c. 459 AD), reportedly on account of his already renowned learning and holiness.
He served the Archdiocese of Reims for approximately 70 years. The central event of his archiepiscopate was the baptism of Clovis I, King of the Franks, on Christmas Day 496 AD. Clovis had promised to convert to Christianity if God gave him victory at the Battle of Tolbiac; he won. Remigius baptized him and reportedly 3,000 of his warriors. Gregory of Tours records Remigius's words: "Bow thy head, gentle Sicambrian; adore what thou hast burned, burn what thou hast adored."
The baptism of the Frankish king secured the Catholic future of France and, through Frankish power, was decisive for the Christianization of northern and western Europe.
The holy oil used at the baptism — preserved in the Sainte Ampoule — was used to anoint every French king until the Revolution destroyed it in 1793.
Remigius died at Reims on January 13, 533 AD, aged approximately 96. His tomb is in the Basilica of Saint-Remi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Laon, Gaul (modern France)
Death location: Reims, Gaul (modern France)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Remigius have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Saint of the Day: October 1st - Saint Remigius | 15–30 minutes | Butler's Lives of the Saints |
| Saint Remigius, Bishop - October 1st | Under 5 minutes | Saint of the Day |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Basilica of Saint-Remi, Reims — his tomb; UNESCO World Heritage Site; Romanesque masterpiece.
- Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims — site of his legacy (the royal coronation tradition); UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Feast day
October 1
Veneration
Saint Remigius is the Apostle of the Franks, who baptized Clovis I on Christmas Day 496 AD and secured Catholic Christianity as the faith of France. His 70-year archiepiscopate and the tradition of the Sainte Ampoule shaped French royal history for 1,300 years. His feast is October 1.
Prayers
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