Saint Blitaire
Blier
Confessor
Originally from Scotland, Saint Blitaire came to Gaul with Saint Foursy before retiring near Verdey in Champagne. There, he led a life of prayer and mortification, which was illustrated by miracles. His relics, kept in Broyes and later in Sézanne, were destroyed by the Calvinists in 1567.
Guided reading
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SAINT BLITAIRE OR BLIER, CONFESSOR,
Origins and arrival in Gaul
Blitaire, a native of Scotland, accompanied Saint Fursa to Gaul before settling in Champagne.
Blitaire Blitaire Hermit of Scottish origin who lived in Champagne in the 7th century. was a native of Scotland. He came to Gaul with Sa int Fursa. T saint Foursy Traveling companion of Blitaire in Gaul. he latter stopped for some time on the coast, and later advanced as far as Picardy. Blitaire came to the territory of Séz anne, i Sézanne Town in Champagne where the saint lived and where his relics were kept. n Champagne. He built a small mound there, not far from Verdey, where Verdey Site of the hermitage of Saint Blitaire. he spent his whole life in mortification and prayer. His death, like his life, was illustrated by miracles. Because of the fame of his name, the pious monks of Vauc houx founded a pri moines de Vauchoux Monastic community that founded a priory at the saint's place of life. ory of their Order on the very site of his dwelling. The Canons of Broies transported his body to their church. In his honor, Baron Hugues de Broies and his wife Héliude richly endowe baron Hugues de Broies Baron who endowed the community in honor of the saint. d this commun ity. Lo Héliude Wife of Baron Hugues de Broies. ng after, his body was transferred to Sézanne, in the church of Saint-Julien; it remained there until 1567, at which time the Calvinists, having seized Sézanne, broke the silver rel Calvinistes Religious group that destroyed the saint's relics in 1567. iquaries of Saint Blitaire and Saint Julien, converted them into currency, burned the relics, and scattered their ashes to the wind.
Eremitic life at Verdey
The saint settled near Sézanne, living in prayer and mortification until his death, which was illustrated by miracles.
Ancton Propre of Troyes Ancton Propre de Troyes Liturgical or historical source mentioned for the biography. .
Development of the cult and translations
His body was successively honored by the monks of Vauchoux, the canons of Broies, and then transferred to Sézanne.
Blitaire was a native of Scotland. He came to Gaul with Saint Foursy. The latter stopped for some time on the coast, and later advanced into Picardy. Blitaire came to the territory of Sézanne, in Champagne. He built a small mound there, not far from Verdey, where he spent his whole life in mortification and prayer. His death, like his life, was illustrated by miracles. Because of the fame of his name, the pious monks of Vauchoux founded a priory of their Order on the very site of his dwelling. The Canons of Broies transported his body to their church. In his honor, Baron Hugues de Broies and his wife Héliude richly endowed this community. Long after, his body was transferred to Sézanne, to the church of Saint-Julien; it remained there until 1567, at which time the Calvinists, having seized Sézanne, broke the silver reliquaries of Saint Blitaire and Saint Julien, converted them into currency, burned the relics, and scattered their ashes to the wind.
Profanation by the Calvinists
In 1567, the Calvinists seized Sézanne, destroyed the precious reliquaries, and burned the saint's relics.
Blitaire was a native of Scotland. He came to Gaul with Saint Fursy. The latter stopped for some time on the coast, and later advanced as far as Picardy. Blitaire came to the territory of Sézanne, in Champagne. He built a small mound there, not far from Verdey, where he spent his whole life in mortification and prayer. His death, like his life, was illustrated by miracles. Because of the fame of his name, the pious monks of Vauchoux founded a priory of their Order on the very site of his dwelling. The Canons of Broies transported his body to their church. In his honor, Baron Hugues de Broies and his wife Héliude richly endowed this community. Long after, his body was transferred to Sézanne, in the church of Saint-Julien; it remained there until 1567, the time when the Calvinists, having seized Sézanne, broke the silver reliquaries of Saint Blitaire and Saint Julien, converted them into currency, burned the relics, and scattered the ashes to the wind.
Sources
Mention of the Proper Antiphonary of Troyes as the source for this entry.
Proper Antiphonary of Troyes.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Arrival in Gaul with Saint Fursey
- Settled in the territory of Sézanne
- Construction of a mound near Verdey for a life of prayer
- Translation of the relics to the church of Broies
- Translation of the relics to the Saint-Julien church in Sézanne
- Destruction of relics by the Calvinists in 1567
Miracles
- Life and death illustrated by miracles (unspecified)