Saint Nicet

Saint Nicet or Nizier, the twenty-third bishop of Besançon, succeeded Saint Sylvester II around the year 590. Through him, the episcopal see was re-established in the city of Besançon, from where, after the destruction of that city by Attila, it had been transferred to the small town of Nyon on the shores of Lake Geneva. The church of Besançon was in a deplorable situation: the province had not yet recovered from the passage of Attila; the metropolis was barely emerging from its ruins; the Arian heresy had been introduced into the country following the Burgundians; paganism had not entirely disappeared, and simony reigned among the clergy. Saint Nicet did not only have to govern his church: he also had to rebuild it. By force of virtue, he was equal to his task. His selflessness and charity were remarkable; he was accustomed to saying that one must obey God and command riches. The Second Council of Mâcon, subscribed to by his predecessor, prescribed charity to the clergy and forbade them luxury. It was all the easier for Nicet to impose these ordinances on his clergy, as he observed them himself very assiduously. God had granted him a flexible and easy eloquence, and he was very diligent in preaching. He was of rare prudence, strong will, and exquisite gentleness. At the same time that Saint Nicet arrived at the government of the church of Besançon, Saint Columbanus came to settle in the Vosges, where he founded the great abbey of Luxeuil. When the constructions were finished, Saint Nicet, at the invitation of Saint Columbanus, went to perform the solemn blessing. Saint Nicet was also in contact with another even more illustrious contemporary, Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Saint Columbanus having been driven from Luxeuil by Queen Brunhilda, Saint Nicet received him into his feast and granted him generous hospitality until a new order from the queen forced him to leave Besançon. Saint Nicet departed from this world on February 8, 613, after having occupied the see of Besançon for twenty-four years. The memory of Saint Nicet was first celebrated under the double rite. Now this feast is held on January 31. The memory of Saint Nicet is honored with great devotion in the parish of Mailley (Haute-Saône), whose church is under the patronage of this holy bishop. The church of Angerans, in the arrondissement of Dôle, is also consecrated to the same Pontiff. Under the feudal regime, the lord of Angerans himself regulated the way in which the young people were to process on the day of the feast of *Monsieur Saint Nicet*.

Saint Nicet or Nizier, twenty-third bishop of Besançon, succeeded Saint Sylvester II around the year 590. Through him, the episcopal see was re-established in the city of Besançon, from where, after the destruction of that city by Attila, it had been transferred to the small town of Nyon, on the shores of Lake Geneva. The church of Besançon was in a deplorable situation: the province had not yet recovered from the passage of Attila; the metropolis was barely emerging from its ruins; the Arian heresy had been introduced into the country following the Burgundians; paganism had not entirely disappeared, and simony reigned among the clergy. Saint Nicet did not only have to govern his church: he also had to rebuild it. By force of virtue, he was equal to his task. His selflessness and charity were remarkable; he was accustomed to saying that one must obey God and command riches. The Second Council of Mâcon, subscribed to by his predecessor, prescribed charity to the clergy and forbade them luxury. It was all the easier for Nicet to impose these ordinances on his clergy, as he observed them himself very assiduously. God had granted him a flexible and easy eloquence, and he was very diligent in preaching. He was of rare prudence, strong will, and exquisite gentleness. At the same time that Saint Nicet arrived at the government of the church of Besançon, Saint Columbanus came to settle in the Vosges, where he founded the great abbey of Luxeuil. When the constructions were finished, Saint Nicet, at the invitation of Saint Columbanus, went to perform the solemn blessing. Saint Nicet was also in contact with another even more illustrious contemporary, Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Saint Columbanus having been driven from Luxeuil by Queen Brunhilda, Saint Nicet received him into his diocese and granted him generous hospitality until a new order from the queen forced him to leave Besançon. Saint Nicet departed from this world on February 8, 613, after having occupied the see of Besançon for twenty-four years. The memory of Saint Nicet was first celebrated under the double rite. Now this feast is held on January 31. The memory of Saint Nicet is honored with great devotion in the parish of Mailley (Haute-Saône), whose church is under the patronage of this holy bishop. The church of Angerans, in the arrondissement of Dôle, is also consecrated to the same Pontiff. Under the feudal regime, the lord of Angerans himself regulated the manner in which the young people were to process on the day of the feast of *Monsieur Saint Nicet*.

Saint Nicet or Nizier, twenty-third bishop of Besançon, succeeded Saint Sylvester II, around the year 590. Through him, the episcopal see was re-established in the city of Besançon, from where, after the destruction of that city by Attila, it had been transferred to the small town of Nyon, on the shores of Lake Geneva. The church of Besançon was in a deplorable situation: the province had not yet recovered from the passage of Attila; the metropolis was barely emerging from its ruins; the Arian heresy had been introduced into the country following the Burgundians; paganism had not entirely disappeared and simony reigned among the clergy. Saint Nicet did not only have to govern his church: he also had to rebuild it. By force of virtue, he was equal to his task. His selflessness and charity were remarkable; he was accustomed to saying that one must obey God and command riches. The second Council of Mâcon, subscribed to by his predecessor, prescribed charity to the clergy and forbade them luxury. It was all the easier for Nicet to impose these ordinances on his clergy, as he observed them himself very assiduously. God had granted him a flexible and easy eloquence, and he was very diligent in preaching. He was of rare prudence, strong will, and exquisite gentleness. At the same time that Saint Nicet arrived at the government of the church of Besançon, Saint Columbanus came to settle in the Vosges, where he founded the great abbey of Luxeuil. When the constructions were finished, Saint Nicet, at the invitation of Saint Columbanus, went to perform the solemn blessing. Saint Nicet was also in contact with another even more illustrious contemporary, Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Saint Columbanus having been driven from Luxeuil by Queen Brunhilda, Saint Nicet received him into his feast and granted him generous hospitality until a new order from the queen forced him to leave Besançon. Saint Nicet departed from this world on February 8, 613, after having occupied the see of Besançon for twenty-four years. The memory of Saint Nicet was first celebrated under the double rite. Now this feast is held on January 31. The memory of Saint Nicet is honored with great devotion in the parish of Mailley (Haute-Saône), whose church is under the patronage of this holy bishop. The church of Angerans, in the arrondissement of Dôle, is also consecrated to the same Pontiff. Under the feudal regime, the lord of Angerans himself regulated the manner in which the young people were to process on the day of the feast of *Monsieur Saint Nicet*.