A nobleman of Gaul and disciple of Saint Phébade, Dulcide became Bishop of Agen in the 5th century. He protected his flock against barbarian invasions and the Arian heresy, while honoring the relics of local martyrs. His remains are today venerated in Chamberet, where many miracles are attributed to him.
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SAINT DULCIDE, BISHOP OF AGEN AND CONFESSOR (475).
Succession to Saint Phoebadius
Dulcide, a disciple of noble origin, succeeded Saint Phoebadius to the episcopal see of Agen at the end of the 4th century according to the wishes of his predecessor.
A disciple o f Saint Phoeb saint Phébade Bishop of Agen and mentor to Saint Dulcidius. adius, Bish op o Agen City of the martyrdom and center of the cult of Saint Faith. f Agen, Dulcide became his successor. Descended from a noble race of the Gauls, he abandoned the comforts of the world and trampled human greatness underfoot, in order to seek from the great bishop a life more in conformity with evangelical simplicity. Upon seeing his chaste and pure life, the holy prelate hastened to make Dulcide his first deacon and entrusted him with the ministry of preaching. But Phoebadius was already nearing the end of his days, and, in his extreme old age, he had resolved to entrust the care of his flock to his dear deacon. He had confided this to those close to his household, and, at the moment of rendering his soul to God, he declared that Dulcide was worthy to succeed him in the episcopate. The holy pontiff had barely dictated his final wishes when he closed his eyes and fell asleep in the Lord. It is generally believed that this was towards the end of the 4th century. The people, who had seen the will of God in the supreme testament of their bishop, gathered in a crowd, proclaimed the episcopate of Dulcide, and triumphantly raised him to the see of Agen.
Episcopate and struggle against Arianism
The prelate honors the martyrs of Agen and protects his diocese against the invasions of the Vandals and the Arian Visigoths through his virtues and miracles.
The first care of the new prelate was to honor the relics of the Martyrs of Agen, until then hidden rather than buried by the faithful, and to transfer their precious remains into a superb basilica. But soon the episcopate of Saint Dulcide was troubled by a frightful storm. The Vandals, pushed by Stilicho, ru shed int Stillcon Roman general mentioned as having pushed the Vandals. o Gaul and spread devastation from the Alps to the Pyrenees, from the Rhine to the Ocean. The Vandals were succeeded by the Visigoths, who came to propagate the impious sect of Arius wi th the blow of a cl secte impie d'Arius Heresy opposed by Columbanus in Italy among the Lombards. ub. Phoebadius had fought the Arians by the strength of his doctrine; Dulcide had to defend himself against them by the power of his virtues and his miracles. The wonders that Dulcide had performed during his life multiplied after his death, for God needed to support the first Christians in the midst of the dangers that surrounded them on all sides. The plague that had afflicted the Agenais was turned away by the intercession of the Saint, as well as the frightful disease of the burning fire.
Death and cult in Limousin
Dying in the middle of the 5th century, his body was transferred to Chamberet where he is venerated under the name of Saint Dulcet and rests in a richly decorated reliquary.
Saint Dulcide died around the middle of the 5th century. His body was transf erred to Chamberet Site of the translation of relics and a center of devotion. Chamb eret, in Limousin Region where the saint settled as a hermit. Limousin, today in the diocese of Tulle. One can still see, in the church of the former priory, his image painted on the stained glass of the choir. The Saint is represented there in episcopal vestments. He is highly honored in Chamberet under the common name of Saint Dulcet, and the people of this region attribute a great number of miracl es to him. The reliqua chasse du grand évêque Church-shaped reliquary preserved in Chamberet. ry of the great bishop is still preserved there. It has the shape of a church, and its vertical walls are decorated with arched arcades. The columns and archivolts are semi-engaged, and their blue glazes are cut, at the capitals and at the base, with tricolor foliage. Gold scrolls snake along the shafts, and go to attach their capricious garlands to the archivolts. In the center, on the vertical plane, Jesus dies on the cross. The Virgin and Saint John receive his last breath. Further on, the Apostles hold the book of truth that they must announce to the world. On the opposite side, Jesus Christ, surrounded by the four evangelists, is seated on the throne of his glory. The burial of Saint Dulcide is represented on the slope of the roof.
Source
The text is derived from the works of Abbé Barrère on the religious history of the diocese of Agen.
Excerpt from the Religious and Monumental History of the Diocese of Age n, by Abbé Barrèr M. l'abbé Barrère Historian of the Diocese of Agen and author of the source. e.
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 Phoebadius
- Appointed first deacon of Agen
- Election to the episcopate of Agen upon the death of Phoebadius
- Translation of the relics of the martyrs of Agen to a basilica
- Struggle against the invasions of the Vandals and Arian Visigoths
Miracles
- Diversion of the plague in the Agenais region
- Healing of the holy fire disease
- Multiple miracles after his death