Saint Bohaire
Betharius
Bishop of Chartres and Confessor
Originally from Rome, Bohaire became a hermit near Blois before being appointed chaplain to Clotaire II and then Bishop of Chartres in 594. He distinguished himself by his heroic devotion during the invasion of the city by King Theuderic, offering his life and the goods of the Church to ransom the captives. He died around 623 and his relics are still venerated in his former hermitage.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT BOHAIRE OR BÉTHAIRE,
BISHOP OF CHARTRES AND CONFESSOR (c. 623).
Youth and eremitic vocation
Originally from Rome, Bohaire settled in Chartres and then chose solitude on the banks of the Cisse with the agreement of Bishop Pappole.
Bohaire Bohaire Bishop of Chartres in the 7th century, former hermit and royal chaplain. was born in R Rome Birthplace of Maximian. ome. From his youth, he left his homeland and came to Char Chartres Episcopal city of the saint. tres, where his virtue and knowledge did not take long to shine with great brilliance; but the esteem of men frightened his humility, and solitude offered him an asylum against the temptations of v ain glory. Bisho L'évêque Pappole Bishop of Chartres, predecessor of Bohaire. p Pappole, yielding to his austere desires, allowed him to choose a retreat in any place in the diocese of Chartres and to freely plant his cell there. Bohaire therefore came to settle on the banks of the Ciss bords de la Cisse River on the banks of which the saint established his hermitage. e, a short distance from Blois, and built a small chapel there which Pappole dedicated under the title of Saint George, marty r. Clotaire Clotaire II King of Neustria and later sole King of the Franks, protector of Columbanus after his exile. II drew him, against his will, from this retreat to make him his chaplain. After the death of Pappole (594), the clergy and the people elected him bishop of Chartres; but a new order from the king was required to force him to undergo this dignity which, far from flattering him, seemed to him a formidable burden.
Accession to the Episcopate
After serving as chaplain to King Clotaire II, he was elected Bishop of Chartres in 594 despite his desire to remain in the shadows.
Bohaire was not mistaken in his Christian assessment of the difficulties and perils of the episcopate. Cruel persecutions tested his virtue. In his time, Theuderic, King of Burgundy, ravaged the city of Chartr es and took the p ville de Chartres Episcopal city of the saint. rincipal inhabitants into captivity. The pontiff shared the fate of his people; he gave everything he possessed to pay the ransom of the most notable prisoners, and sacrificed even the treasury of his church to stop the murder, pillage, and arson. Loaded with chains, led before the barbarian king, this good shepherd begged him to take his life as well, if necessary, but to spare his dear flock. Theuderic, touched by this act of devotion, felt moved to clemency, fell at the feet of the worthy bishop, and promised him no longer to afflict him; the people of his retinue likewise welcomed the man of God, embraced his knees, and implored the help of his prayers. This sudden change, or rather this supernatural impression of divine grace, saved a city threatened with the most frightful misfortunes. Theuderic kept his word, put an end to the violence, restored security to the alarmed Chartrains, repaired the harm he had done, and returned the property of the church.
Conflict with Theuderic of Burgundy
During the sack of Chartres by Theuderic, Bohaire sacrifices himself to ransom the captives and succeeds in converting the barbarian king through his humility.
Bohaire Bohaire Bishop of Chartres in the 7th century, former hermit and royal chaplain. lived for a certain number of years more, in the midst of the people who owed him their deliverance. He died around the year 623, and was, according to tradition, buried at his hermitage on the banks of the Cisse. The oratory of Saint-Georges, which he had erected in this valley, became a parish church, under the invocation of the founder. His relics remained there the object of public veneration; and even today, they are displayed in a 15th-century reliquary made of carved wood. This delicate work bears the religious stamp of the era; the artist, drawing inspiration from the memories of the past, reproduced the main circumstances of a significant legend, among others, the scene where the humble anchorite, leaving his retreat with regret, heads toward the deceptive court of Clotaire and seems to foresee his coming tribulations.
Death and Posterity
Bohaire died around 623 and was buried at his hermitage; his relics are preserved in a 15th-century sculpted reliquary.
Saints of Blois, by A . Dupré. A. Dupré Author of the work 'Saints de Blois'.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Birth in Rome and journey to Chartres
- Eremitic retreat on the banks of the Cisse
- Appointed chaplain to Clotaire II
- Election to the bishopric of Chartres in 594
- Captivity and negotiation with King Theuderic for the liberation of his people
- Death and burial at his hermitage
Miracles
- Supernatural impression of grace touching King Theuderic