Archbishop of Lyon in the 6th century and advisor to King Childebert, Saint Sacerdos governed his diocese with prudence and presided over the Council of Orléans in 549. He died in Paris in 551 after obtaining the king's consent for his nephew, Saint Nizier, to succeed him. His relics rest in Lyon in the church of Saint-Nizier.
Guided reading
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SAINT SACERDOS OR SERDOT,
TWENTY-SEVENTH ARCHBISHOP OF LYON AND CONFESSOR (551). — 13TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER
Origins and accession to the episcopate
Born in Lyon into an illustrious family, Sacerdos became an advisor to King Childebert before being elected bishop of Lyon in 544.
Born in Lyon in 48 6, Sacer Sacerdos Archbishop of Lyon in the 6th century. dos belonged to one of the most illustrious families of that city, and was the brother of the senator Florence, father of Saint Nizier. His virtues as much as his talents brought him into great favor with Kin roi Childebert King of the Franks who supported the saint. g Childebert, who liked to consult him on his most important affairs. After the death of Leonce (544), the clergy and the people of Lyon unanimously conferred upon him the pastoral staff, and Sacerdos governed his Church with the highest prudence. On October 28, 549, he presided over a fifth Counci Orléans The first diocese of which Roger was bishop. l of Orleans held against the heresies of Nestorius and Eutyche s, althou Constitut Metropolitan of Sens present at the Council of Orléans. gh Constitut, metropolitan of Sens, was present there along with several others; which sufficiently proves that, from that time, the other metropolises of Gaul recognized the primacy of that of Lyon.
The Council of Orléans and the Primacy
Sacerdos presided over the Fifth Council of Orléans in 549 against heresies, thereby affirming the primacy of the See of Lyon over the other metropolises of Gaul.
This prelate founded two new churches in Lyon, one under the invocation of Saint Pau saint Paul Church founded by Sacerdos in Lyon. l, which for several centuries held the title of collegiate church, the other in honor of Saint Eula sainte Eulalie Church founded under the name of Saint Eulalia. lia, which later took the name of Saint-Georges. King Childebert, full of esteem for his virtues, having called him to court to seek his advice on certain matters, Serdot fell ill in Paris. The holy bishop, feeling that he was at the end of his course, spoke in these terms to the monarch who had honored him with a visit:
Foundations and works in Lyon
The prelate founded the churches of Saint-Paul and Sainte-Eulalie (future Saint-Georges) in Lyon.
“You know, most religious prince, with what fidelity I have always served you: now that my end is approaching, console me and deign to grant me a favor.” — “Ask what you will,” replied the king, “and you shall obtain it.” — “I beseech you then,” resumed the bishop, “to consent that Nicet, my nephew, be my suc cesso Nicet Nephew and successor of Sacerdos to the see of Lyon. r to the see of Lyon, for he loves chastity, the Church, and the poor, and one sees in his actions and in his manners all the character of a perfect servant of God.” — “May the will of God be done,” replied the king, and Nicet was elected with the unanimous consent of the clergy and the people.
Last Will and Succession
Having fallen ill in Paris, Sacerdos obtained from King Childebert that his nephew Nizier would succeed him to the episcopal see of Lyon.
Saint Sacerdos died in Pari Paris Place of birth, ministry, and death of the saint. s on September 12, 551, at the age of sixty-five, before the end of the council convened to judge Saffarac Saffarac Bishop of Paris whose trial was the subject of a council. , bishop of that city. His body, brought back to Lyon, was buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles, today Saint-Nizier, where his relics were visited in 1308 by Archbishop Louis d e Villars. His m Louis de Villars Archbishop of Lyon who visited the relics in 1308. emory is honored in Lyon on September 12, the day of his death, and that Church invokes him in its great litanies, before Saint Nizier, his successor.
Death, burial, and posterity
Died in Paris in 551, his body was brought back to Lyon to be buried in the Church of the Holy Apostles, where his relics are honored.
Excerpt from the Gallia christiana nova, by Floquet.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Lyon in 486
- Advisor to King Childebert
- Election to the Archbishopric of Lyon in 544
- Presided over the Fifth Council of Orléans in 549
- Foundation of the churches of Saint-Paul and Sainte-Eulalie in Lyon
- Designation of his nephew Nizier as successor on his deathbed
Quotes
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I beseech you, therefore, to consent that Nicet, my nephew, be my successor to the see of Lyon, for he loves chastity, the Church, and the poor.
Words reported to Childebert