A disciple and successor of Saint Lupus, Camelian was Bishop of Troyes for fifty-seven years at the turn of the 5th and 6th centuries. Recognized for his humility, charity, and prudence, he attended the First Council of Orléans in 511 and maintained the faith of his people during the reign of Clovis I.
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SAINT CAMELIAN, BISHOP OF TROYES
Formation and virtues
A disciple of Saint Lupus at the ecclesiastical school of Troyes, Camelien distinguished himself by his piety, his study of the Scriptures, and his great mortification.
The ecclesiastical school directed by Saint Lupus was like a nursery for bishops; it was destined to give the illustrious pontiff a successor worthy of him. Cam Camélien Bishop of Troyes in the 6th century and successor to Saint Lupus. elien, whom some believe to be the one who escaped the massacre of the companions of Saint Mesmin, was, of all the disciples of the Trojan prelate, the one who most faithfully reproduced the virtues of his master. "He admirably combined sweetness and gravity in his actions, and prudence and skill in his counsel. Deeply versed in profane letters, he made the Holy Scriptures his dearest delight above all, and while savoring the beauty of the style, he penetrated the mysterious meaning hidden beneath the words. There was not a moment in his life that knew idleness or frivolous occupations: the thought of Jesus Christ regulated all his steps and gave them an inestimable value. But that in which he excelled was in the practice of mortification. He was fond of fasting, so much had he contracted the habit of the cross, and only charity or the desire to hide the secret of his abstinences determined him to take more abundant food at times. Always ready to oblige others, he asked no one for a service for his own particular interest. His humility went so far as to yield the way not only to his equals, but even to his inferiors. His conversation was so moderated by charity that no stranger was ever humiliated, and no friend was ever saddened: the most suspicious criticism could not find malice in it, and his lips were ignorant of slander. Simple as the dove in his pastoral functions, he had the prudence of the serpent outwardly; thus, neither good nor wicked refused him their esteem and veneration."
Accession to the Episcopate and Charity
Designated as successor by Saint Lupus, he entrusted the temporal management to Saint Aventinus in order to devote himself to prayer and miraculous works of charity.
So many virtues earned him the name of a truly apostolic man, and help us understand the preference of Saint Lupus when, pressed to designate his own successor, he chose Camelianus. The people of Troyes joyfully accepted the new pontiff and congratulated themselves on finding in him the faithful image of the one they had lost.
Camelianus, raised to the dignity of bishop, did not wish to omit any of his pious practices, and in order to attend more freely to prayer, he relieved himself of temporal matters by appointing a steward worthy of his trust. This w saint Aventin Steward of Saint Camelianus and local saint. as Saint Aventinus, his former fellow student, whose merit and virtue he had appreciated. Let us be content to say here that, as a faithful interpreter of his master's generous sentiments, Aventinus distributed the greater part of Camelianus's income to good works. Widows, orphans, and the indigent alike associated their names in their thanksgivings and prayers, and many times God, rewarding the holy prodigality of the steward and the bishop with miracles, allowed the provisions, despite these largesses, to suffer no diminution.
Political context and ecclesial commitment
Under his episcopate, Troyes came under the authority of Clovis I. Camelian participated in the first Council of Orléans in 511 against Arianism.
Under the episcopate of Saint Camelian, the city of Troyes fell under the power of Clovis I and became part of the French monarchy; but although the prince was still an idolater, the Tricasses remained nonetheless faithfully attached to their faith, thanks no doubt to the tireless zeal of the pontiff who neglected nothing to keep away from his spiritual family everything capable of altering religious beliefs or even shaking them.
In 493, he welcomed the Frankish king Clovis I as he passed through, when this prince went as far as Villery to meet his wife Clotilde. Saint Camelian attended, in 511, the first council, convened by Clovis, at Orléans, against Arianism; he is named sixth there, and signed as follows: Camelian us episcop Camelianus Bishop of Troyes in the 6th century and successor to Saint Lupus. us ecclesiæ Tricassinæ.
Death and posterity of the relics
Died in 536, he was canonized by his successor Saint Vincent. His relics, long kept at the Abbey of Saint-Loup, were dispersed during the Revolution.
Since this council, our holy Bishop is mentioned only to indicate the year of his death. It occurred in the year 536 of Jesus Christ, on July 28, after an episcopate of fifty-seven years.
He was numbered among the Saints, a few years later, by his successor, Saint Vincent, and his precious relics rested in the Abbey of Saint-Lou p. Visited in 1180 b abbaye de Saint-Loup Initial burial place of Saint Camelianus. y the monks of this convent, they were placed by Abbot Nicolas Forjot in a new reliquary which was opened in 1606, revealing the body of the holy Pontiff in the best state of preservation. The furies of the Revolution deprived us of them, as they did of many others. There is, however, a considerable fragment in the parish church of Saint-Mards-en-Othe.
The feast of Saint Camelian was celeb Saint-Mards-en-Othe Location where a relic fragment is preserved. rated until recent times on July 28 of each year.
Excerpt from the Life of the Saints of Troyes, by Abbé Defer.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Disciple of Saint Lupus at the ecclesiastical school of Troyes
- Election as successor to Saint Lupus to the see of Troyes
- The city of Troyes comes under the power of Clovis I
- Welcomed Clovis I at Villery during his meeting with Clotilde in 493
- Participation in the First Council of Orléans against Arianism in 511
- Died after an episcopate of fifty-seven years
Miracles
- Miraculous multiplication of provisions distributed to the poor by his steward Aventinus
- Preservation of the body observed in 1606
Quotes
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Camelianus, bishop of the Church of Troyes
Acts of the Council of Orléans (511)