Eleventh Bishop of Soissons in the 5th century, Saint Edibius is famous for having saved his city from destruction by Attila. Through his prayers, fasting, and eloquence during an audience with the King of the Huns, he managed to divert the invasion. Recognized for his miracles and firmness, he died around 462.
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SAINT EDIBIUS, ELEVENTH BISHOP OF SOISSONS (462).
Succession and historical context
Edibe became the eleventh bishop of Soissons around 451, succeeding Onesimus II in a city whose cathedral had just been rebuilt.
Saint Edibe, or Herlube, is the eleventh bishop of Soisson Soissons Birthplace and place of death of Geoffrey. s. He succeeded Onesimus II, and was the immediate predecessor of Saint Prince or Prin saint Prince ou Principe Immediate successor of Saint Edibe. cipe, whose life we recounted on September 25. It has been noted through monuments that Edibe occupied the see of Soissons in 451. At that time, it had already been nearly seventy years since his cathedral church, originally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, had been rebuilt on the same site and placed under the special patronage of Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius.
Virtues and miraculous gifts
Recognized for his moral firmness and zeal, the bishop performed healings and exorcisms during his episcopate.
During his episcopate, Edibe showed great firmness of character. He waged war against vices with such success that he overcame the stubbornness of the most hardened sinners. The Lord rewarded his lively faith and ardent zeal with the gift of miracles. He healed many sick people and cast out demons from the bodies of the possessed several times. But the action that made him forever famous and worthy of the gratitude of the people of Soissons was the victory that the ascendancy of his virtue and his eloquence won over the feroc Attila Leader of the Huns responsible for the destruction of Besançon. ious Attila. This Huns Invading people led by Attila. king of the Huns, so justly nicknamed the Scourge of God, had descended with his barbaria n hordes upon empire romain Political entity threatened by barbarian invasions. the Roman Empire and wanted to annihilate it for his own benefit. In his path, he put everything to fire and blood, and razed cities after slaughtering the inhabitants who had dared to resist him.
The salvation of Soissons in the face of Attila
While Attila was ravaging Gaul, Edibe obtained through prayer and a diplomatic embassy that the King of the Huns would spare Soissons.
Metz had just succumbed and been reduced to ashes; Arras and Reims had been taken by storm. Soissons was in Soissons Birthplace and place of death of Geoffrey. consternation and expected the worst misfortunes. Saint Edibe, trusting in the power of the Most High, did not lose hope of saving his episcopal city from pillage and ruin. He prescribed fasts and prayers. Prostrate himself at the foot of the altars and before the venerated bones of the holy martyrs Crispin and C rispinian, he begged saints martyrs Crépin Martyr whose relics were venerated in Soissons. the God of me Crépinien Martyr associated with Saint Crispin. rcies to spare his people a punishment that was perhaps well-deserved, it is true, but which could be turned away from their heads through repentance and penance. Therefore, when Edibe felt within himself that the Lord was beginning to be moved by so many tears, he rose full of confidence and holy boldness and headed with all his clergy toward the barbarian's camp, from whom he requested an audience. Attila's fierce appearance did not disconcert the holy bishop. Sustained by a purely divine strength, he spoke with such eloquence that the formidable conqueror allowed himself to be persuaded that it was in his interest to take another route. Thus, Soissons was saved by the piety and courage of Saint Edibe.
Death and posterity of the relics
Edibe died about ten years after the invasion; his relics, formerly kept at Saint-Crépin le Grand, are lost today.
Eight or ten years after this event, Edibe went to receive in heaven the reward for his virtues and his apostolic labors. His relics were deposited in the church of S aint-Crépin le Grand; but the c église de Saint-Crépin le Grand Initial burial place of Saint Edibius. ity of Soissons no longer has the happiness of possessing them today.
We owe this notice to the kindness of the late Abbé Henri Conguet , canon of So Henri Conguet Canon of Soissons and source of the notice. issons.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Occupied the episcopal see of Soissons in 451
- Struggle against vices and conversion of sinners
- Intercession and penance in the face of Attila's threat
- Diplomatic meeting with Attila to save Soissons
- Died eight or ten years after the Hun invasion
Miracles
- Healing of many sick people
- Exorcisms (casts out demons from the possessed)