A nobleman originally from Italy, Siffrein trained at Lérins and Arles under Saint Caesarius before becoming Bishop of Carpentras in the 7th century. Combining monastic rigor with charity toward the poor, he built several churches and was famous for his miracles. He died in 659 and his relics are honored in Carpentras.
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SAINT SIFFREIN OR SYFFROY, BISHOP OF CARPENTRAS (659).
Origins and monastic formation
Siffrein, born of a noble family from Albano, retired to the monastery of Lérins with his father before being trained by Saint Caesarius of Arles.
Siffrein Siffrein Bishop of Carpentras and Vénasque, former monk of Lérins. , born of a noble race and a native of A lbano (Terra di Lavoro), Albano (Terre de Labour) Place of origin of the saint in the Terra di Lavoro. retired to the monastery of Lérin monastère de Lérins Famous monastery where Domitian stayed. s with his father, a pious knight, who fell asleep in the Lord after a few years spent in the monastic profession.
As for Siffrein, he made such progress un der Saint Cae saint Césaire Abbot of Lérins and later Bishop of Arles, mentor to Siffrein. sarius, then abbot and later bishop of Arles, in the practice of virtues and in the study of letters, and at the same time acquired such a reputation for holiness, that, even before being initiated into holy orders, he was elected bishop by the people a nd clergy of Ve clergé venaisin Initial episcopal see and burial place of the saint. naissin. He long refused to accept a charge that he regarded as being above his strength; finally, compelled to accept, he allowed himself to be led to Saint Caesarius, who conferred the orders upon him and consecrated him bishop.
Episcopal Elevation and Asceticism
Elected bishop by the people of Vénasque, he accepted the office under constraint and maintained a life of rigorous monastic austerity.
He retained all the habits of monastic life within the episcopate. His austerities were great; he macerated his flesh through fasts, vigils, and the hair shirt, and for all sustenance took only bread and water with lentils. Often he spent the nights in prayer, held by the contemplation of heavenly things.
Works and foundations
Father of the poor, he had several basilicas erected in Venasque and Carpentras, notably in honor of the Trinity and Saint Anthony.
Father of the poor and the infirm, he often directed his steps toward their humble dwellings, which he gladdened doubly both with good words and with abundant alms. He erected basilicas in honor of the most holy Trinity, the blessed Virgin Mary, and Saint John the Baptist; he also built one in Carpentras in honor of Sain t Anthony, Carpentras City where the saint's relics are kept. in which, fleeing the commerce of the world, he would go to recollect himself in the presence of God, to emerge afterward with new strength and a more ardent zeal.
Miracles and end of life
Renowned for his healings and the resurrection of a cleric, he ended his days in contemplation near the basilica of the Mother of God.
God manifested the holiness of his servant through miracles. A cleric, whom he was fond of because of the purity of his morals, having died, he called him back to life. The sick came to him in crowds and went away healed. He penetrated the secrets of hearts as well as those of the future.
Towards the end of his life, he built himself a small house near the basilica of the Mother of God, where, without ceasing to fulfill his duties as a pastor, he waited, in contemplation and meditation, for his hour to come to pass from this world to a better one. He died on November 27, and was buried in the basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Vénasque (V aucluse). Today, hi Vénasque (Vaucluse) Initial episcopal see and burial place of the saint. s relics are religiously preserved in Carpentras, in a church bearing h Carpentras City where the saint's relics are kept. is name.
History of relics and cult
His relics, transferred to Carpentras, passed through the centuries in various precious reliquaries before being reconstituted after the Revolution.
The dedication of the churc h of Saint Sif Saint-Siffrein Bishop of Carpentras and Vénasque, former monk of Lérins. frein, which was celebrated on the fourth Sunday after Easter, has been, since the Concordat of 1361, moved to the first Sunday after the Octave of All Saints. Raymond Raymond de Mazan Bishop of Carpentras in the 13th century, donor of a reliquary. de Mazan, Bishop of Carpentras, donated in 1285 a gilded silve châsse d'argent doré Precious reliquary in the shape of a cathedral, gifted in 1285. r shrine, enriched with precious stones, having the shape of a cathedral, which is mentioned in the inventory that was drawn up under Othon in 1322, a time when one of the Saint's arms had been placed separately in a silver arm. In 1447, Guillaume Soyberti placed the head in a bust of the same metal, executed at his own expense. These three reliquaries having been destroyed in 1793, those that the parish church of Carpentras currently possesses were executed, during the rehabilitation of the cult, in roughly the same form as the old ones, but in silver-plated copper and not in silver.
The cult of Saint Siffrein spread to several places in the diocese of Arles, and eve n other met Uzès (Gard) Place of the saint's cult extension. ropolises, notably in Uzès (Gard) and in the village of Séguret (Vaucluse). Saint Siffrein was mainly invoked against evil spirits.
Propre d'Avignon and Dictionnaire biographique du dé partemen Barjavel Author of the Biographical Dictionary of the Vaucluse Department. t de Vaucluse, by Barjavel.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Retreat at the monastery of Lérins with his father
- Formation under Saint Caesarius in Arles
- Election as bishop by the people and clergy of Venaissin
- Episcopal consecration by Saint Caesarius
- Erection of basilicas in Carpentras and Venasque
- Retirement in a small house near the Basilica of the Mother of God before his death
Miracles
- Resurrection of an affectionate cleric
- Healing of many sick people
- Gift of prophecy and reading of hearts