A Burgundian soldier under Charlemagne in the 8th century, Cizy distinguished himself by his piety and bravery against the Saracens in Gascony. Captured during a battle near Rieux, he chose to die under war hammers rather than renounce his faith. His cult was officially established by the bishops of Toulouse and his relics rest in Rieux.
Guided reading
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SAINT CIZY OF BESANÇON, SOLDIER,
Context and portrait of the soldier Cizy
In the 8th century, facing the Saracen invasion of Gaul, Cizy, a Burgundian nobleman and soldier of Charlemagne, distinguished himself by his piety and military valor.
In the 8th century, the Saracens, having become masters of Spain, crossed the Pyrenees in the number of forty thousand, and rushed into Gaul. After having invaded the greater part of Septimania, they occupied the surroundings of Toulouse, and built a great number of mosques along the Garonne, on the borders of the county of Comminges. Among the warriors full of faith who gathered to drive these enemies of Christ from Gascony, shines in the first rank Cizy of Besançon, descended from the ancient gift Cizy de Besançon 8th-century soldier and martyr from Burgundy. s of Burgundy, and no less distinguished by his martial valor. Under the soldier's habit, he had preserved austere manners; he was grave and modest, and gave the example of all virtues. He relieved the poor with his goods, increased by the gifts of Charlemagne, and, fulfilling all the dut Charlemagne Emperor of the Franks and uncle of Saint Folquin. ies imposed by a solid piety, he had converted several infidels to the Christian faith.
Capture and martyrdom
Captured during a heroic charge against the Saracens, Cizy refuses to abjure his faith and dies under the blows of war hammers.
Charged by Charlemagne to command a third of the knights, he entered with them into the plains of the Garonne and rushed upon the infidels. Carried away by his ardor, he penetrated alone into the midst of the thick columns of the Saracens; but, surrounded on all sides, he was taken prisoner. Immediately, he was offered his life if he would consent to embrace the religion of Muhammad; but he rejected this proposal with contempt, and, adoring the crucified Jesus in his heart, he called for martyrdom. His prayers were answered, and the infidels sated their rage upon this pious soldier by bludgeoning him with their war hammers.
Sepulcher and ecclesial recognition
Charlemagne had a tomb and a chapel erected on the site of the battle; the bishops of Toulouse officialized his cult following numerous miracles.
The Christian army, having become more formidable through the death of its leader, did not delay in avenging him. The Saracens, cut to pieces, covered the plain with t heir bodies Charlemagne Emperor of the Franks and uncle of Saint Folquin. . Charlemagne, with his valiant knights, had a marble tomb erected on the very site of the battle, which still retains the name of Cizy, in which the body of the holy Martyr was placed. A chapel was built for him, using the debris of the enemy fortifications, where the grace of the Lord has performed a great number of miracles. All these facts having been known and authentically proven, the bishops of Toulouse inscribed the name of Cizy in the Catalogue of the holy Martyrs of their Church, and established a proper office for the day of his feast. At the t évêché de Rieux Former bishopric to which the saint's relics were transferred. ime of the erection of the bis reliques Mortal remains of the saint preserved in Rieux. hopric of Rieux (Haute-Garonne), his relics were transferred to the cathedral of that city, where they still remain and where his memory is honored by a double feast, on August 16, the day of his birth, and on June 19, the day of the translation of his relics.
Heritage and patronage of Rieux
A village was born around his chapel and Pope John XXII placed the diocese of Rieux under his protection in 1318.
Around the chapel, built by Charlemagne in honor of Cizy, a village gradually arose which is under the patronage of the holy Martyr and which bears the name of S aint-Cizy Saint-Cizy 8th-century soldier and martyr from Burgundy. (Haute-Garonne, arrondissement of Muret, canton of Cazères). The diocese of Rieux was also placed under the protection of the same Saint, b y Pope John XX pape Jean XXII Pope who placed the diocese of Rieux under the protection of Saint Cizy. II, in 1318. But, later, it was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin.
Source of the narrative
The text is taken from the hagiographic work on the Lives of the Saints of Franche-Comté.
Taken from the Lives of the Saints of Franche-Comté.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Command of one-third of the knights under Charlemagne
- Battle against the Saracens in the plains of the Garonne
- Captured by infidels
- Refusal to embrace the religion of Muhammad
- Martyred by war hammer blows
Miracles
- Numerous miracles performed in the chapel built on the site of his martyrdom