A military tribune in Vienne in the 4th century, Ferréol was arrested for his Christian faith after sheltering Saint Julien of Brioude. Despite a miraculous escape, he was caught by his pursuers and beheaded on the banks of the Rhône around 304. His relics were later transferred to a church built by Saint Mamert.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT FERRÉOL OR FORGET,
MARTYR NEAR VIENNE, IN DAUPHINÉ (circa 304).
Arrest and refusal to apostatize
A Roman tribune in Vienne and a secret Christian, Ferréol is arrested by the governor Crispin after having sheltered Saint Julian. He refuses to sacrifice to the idols despite his social rank.
Saint Ferréol Saint Ferréol Brother of Tarcisius and Bishop of Uzès. , who served as a tribune in the armies of the empire, lived in Vienne, i n Gaul Vienne Episcopal see and principal city of the saint's activity. , and secretly professed the Christian religion. He sheltered in his home Saint Julian of Brioude, who was bor saint Julien de Brionde Disciple of Jesus Christ hosted by Ferréol. n in the same city and who openly declared himself a disciple of Jesus Christ. After the latter's martyrdom (August 28), Crispin, gover nor of Crispin Roman governor who ordered the arrest of Ferréol. that part of Gaul where Vienne was situated, had Ferréol arrested on suspicion of his aversion to the religious ceremonies of his fathers. He soon saw that he had not been mistaken: the tribune constantly refused to sacrifice; and as Crispin, to persuade him, alleged the honorable position he occupied and the supposed necessity for him to set an example of obedience to others, he replied: "I do not value as highly as you imagine the honors and riches I enjoy. I ask only for life and the freedom to serve God. If one does not wish to grant me the double object of my request, I will renounce life rather than abandon my religion." The governor, after having him beaten with rods in his presence, sent him to prison, loaded with chains.
Miraculous escape and execution
Miraculously freed from his chains, he fled towards Lyon but was caught near the Rhône where he was beheaded around the year 304.
On the third day of his imprisonment, Ferréol found himself miraculously freed from his chains; and, seeing the guards asleep and the prison door open, he fled and left the city through the gate that leads to Lyon. He crossed the Rhône by s Rhône River into which the bodies of the martyrs were thrown. wimming, and reached the Gères river, which flows into that river two leagues from Vienne. But those who had been charged with pursuing him having recaptured him, they bound his hands behind his back and took him with them. They did not, however, lead him all the way to Vienne; seized by a fit of fury, they cut off his head on the banks of the Rhône, around the year 304. The Christians of the city buried the body of the holy Martyr with great respect, and experienced several times the tangible effects of his protection before God. The church, built on the tomb of the Saint, outside the city, having been razed, Saint M amert had a saint Mamert Archbishop of Vienne healed by Saint Aignan. new one built within the walls of Vienne, and transferred his relics there around the year 474. The Ursuli ne nuns of Bac-sur-Aube possess some religieuses Ursulines de Bac-sur-Aube Religious community possessing relics of the saint. relics of this glorious confessor of the faith. In the parish of Bessens, canton of Gr isoles, Bessens Site of a famous pilgrimage in honor of the saint. not far from Montauban, there is a famous pilgrimage in honor of Saint Ferréol, called the Pilgrimage of La Peyrière.
Cult and translation of relics
His body was first buried outside of Vienne before Saint Mamert transferred his relics into the city in 474. Relics remain in Bar-sur-Aube and a pilgrimage exists in Bessens.
Saint Ferréol is the patron of France, in the dioces e of A Amiens Episcopal see of Geoffrey. miens.
Patronage and references
Saint Ferréol is designated as a patron in the diocese of Amiens. Biographical sources include Arte Sourdanne and the Rev. Fr. Carles.
Arte Sourdanne and Notes provided by the Rev. Fr. Carles, of Toulouse.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.