Originally from Artois and trained by Saint Vedast, Vigor became Bishop of Bayeux in the 6th century. He fought against idolatry, notably by destroying a pagan statue on Mont Phaueux, and performed numerous miracles, including the defeat of a monstrous serpent. His relics, after several transfers, rest in part near Bayeux.
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SAINT VIGOR OR VIGUEUR, BISHOP OF BAYEUX (circa 530).
Origins and formation
Born in Artois into a noble family, Vigor was trained by Saint Vedast in Arras before fleeing to the Bessin to dedicate himself to God.
Saint Vigor or Vigueur Saint Vigor ou Vigueur Bishop of Bayeux in the 6th century, evangelizer of the Bessin. is mentioned on this day in the Roman Martyrology; his feast is celebrated on November 3 in Coutances and Ar ras, a Bayeux Birthplace of the saint. nd in Bayeux on the 5th of the same month.
He was born in Artois. His parents, commendable for their nobility, were even more so for their piety. He was raised in t he house of Saint Ve saint Védas ou Vasat Bishop of Arras and master of Saint Vigor. dast or Vasat, Bishop of Arras, and distinguished himself from his fellow students by his obedience and humility. The fear that his father might bind him to earthly ties caused him to leave his homeland and his family; he came with a companio n of his Théodomir Traveling companion of Saint Vigor. age, named Theodomir, to a village in the Bayeux region named Redecerns or Ravière, where he converted all the inhabitants through preaching, prayer, and example.
First miracles and evangelization
Settled in Ravière, he converted the population through his preaching and performed miracles, notably a resurrection and the slaying of a serpent.
The virtue of God shone so brightly in him that he brought back to life a child whom he had baptized and who had died some time after his baptism. He healed blindness, deafness, and other infirmities; a horrible serpent infested the whole country, and he killed it by a miracle.
Episcopacy and the struggle against idolatry
Elected Bishop of Bayeux, he obtained the hill of Phaueux from King Childebert to destroy a pagan idol and build a church there.
When he who governed the Church of Bayeux had departed from this world, Vigo Vigor Bishop of Bayeux in the 6th century, evangelizer of the Bessin. r was elected to occupy his see; from that moment, his fasts, his vigils, his prayers, and his preachings were constant.
Near the city rose a hill named Phaueux; there stood a stone effigy representing a woman whom the pagans worshipped. This place was part of the royal domain. Saint Vigor obtained ownership of it from King Childebert. T he statue, the roi Childebert King of the Franks who supported the saint. last remnant of idolatry in that land, was destroyed; on this site, a church was built, and the hill took the name of Mons Chrismatis Mons Chrismatis Hill near Bayeux where Vigor destroyed an idol. , Mount of the Anointing.
Conflict with Count Bertulfe
The pagan Count Bertulfe attempts to usurp Church lands but dies accidentally following the prayers of the holy bishop.
However, Coun t Bertulfe, wh comte Bertulfe Pagan count who opposed Bishop Vigor. o was a pagan, invaded with armed force the property given by King Childebert to the church; at this news, Saint Vigor, who was old, got into a carriage, had himself driven to the mountain, entered the church, and begged God to defend His inheritance Himself. He had not yet finished his prayer when someone came to announce to him that Bertulfe had fallen from his horse and had broken his head.
Foundations, death and posterity
Founder of the monastery of Cerare, he died a centenarian. His relics underwent several translations between Bayeux and Saint-Riquier.
Saint Vigor founded, it is sai d, the monastery of monastère de Cerare Monastic establishment founded by Vigor, destroyed by the Normans. Cerare, which was destroyed by the Normans. He died at an advanced age and full of merits, on November 1st. His relics were subsequently transferred from the place of his burial to the cathedral of Bayeux; later they were stolen and transported to the mo nastery of Saint-Riquier, monastère de Saint-Riquier Place of refuge for the saint's relics in Ponthieu. in Ponthieu. A portion of them was returned, in 1671, to the monastery of Saint-Vigor, near Bayeux, which is still preserved in the church of this monastery, which has become a parish church.
He is depicted leading a dragon or serpent on a leash with his stole.
Proper of Bayeux.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Education under Saint Vedast in Arras
- Fled the paternal home with Theodomir to avoid marriage
- Evangelization of the village of Redecerns (Ravière)
- Election to the episcopal see of Bayeux
- Destruction of a pagan idol on the hill of Phaueux
- Foundation of the monastery of Cerare
Miracles
- Resurrection of a recently baptized child
- Healing of blindness and deafness
- Miraculous death of a horrible serpent
- Fatal fall of Count Bertulf following the saint's prayer