Of Roman origin, Vinebaud was first a hermit at Bossensy before becoming abbot of Saint-Loup in Troyes in 583. A man of charity and miracles, he successfully intervened with King Clotaire to secure the release of Saint Leu of Sens and numerous prisoners. He died in 623, leaving a reputation for holiness associated in particular with a miraculous fountain.
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SAINT VINEBAUD, ABBOT OF SAINT-LOUP, IN TROYES.
Origins and eremitic vocation
Of Roman origin, Vinebaud first retired as a hermit to a cell in Saint-Pierre-de-Bossensy after receiving the priesthood.
The current orphanage of Saint-Martin-ès-Aires, in Troyes, was, in the time of Saint Loup, a simple oratory dedicated to Our Lady, where the great bishop of Troyes frequently gathered his disciples to speak to them of God and to train them in piety. After his death, it took the name of the Basilica of Saint Loup, from the relics of the Saint that rested there until 891. But during this interval, a community had formed in this very place which took the name of the Abbey of Saint Loup, and was directed, after Anserie, saint Vinebaud Abbot of Saint-Loup de Troyes in the 7th century. by Saint Vinebau Saint Vinebaud Abbot of Saint-Loup de Troyes in the 7th century. d. Saint Vinebaud, whose family was of Roman origin, came into the world towards the end of the 6th century. After receiving the priesthood, he felt drawn to the exercises of the solitary life, and he did not delay in following t his attraction. There wa Saint-Pierre-de-Bossensy Site of the initial hermitage of Vinebaud. s then at Saint-Pierre-de-Bossensy, a small village twenty kilometers from Nugent, an oratory raised, it is said, by Saint Potentien in honor of the apostle Saint Peter. This place appeared to Vinebaud suitable for his design; he retired there into a narrow cell, and lived there as a hermit.
Election as head of Saint-Loup
Solicited by Bishop Callomagne and the people, Vinebaud succeeded Ansérie as abbot of the monastery of Saint-Loup in 583.
The Pontiff welcomed him with great demonstrations of friendship and proposed that he remain with him to assist his Church with his prayers and services. Despite his desire to return to his cell, Vinebaud could not resist the urgings of Callomagne; but he asked for and obtained permission to spend his days i n the monastery of Sain monastère de Saint-Loup Initial burial place of Saint Camelianus. t-Loup (today the orphanage of Saint-Martin-ès-Aires). Shortly after, in the year 583, the abbot of this monastery, Ansérie, having died, the religious supplemented the bishop, after having placed Vinebaud at their head; the people themselves solicited this dignity for him. The bishop recognized in these unanimous wishes the secret order of heaven, and he blessed Vinebaud as abbot of Saint-Loup.
Intervention with King Clotaire
In 614, Vinebaud successfully intervened with King Clotaire to obtain the recall from exile of Saint Leu, Bishop of Sens.
Although our Saint cherished the solitude that he regarded as the vocation in which God most willingly communicates Himself to those who seek Him, he nevertheless made no difficulty in leaving it when charity required it. He gave proof of this around the year 614. Saint Leu, Bishop of Sens, had been e xiled by Kin roi Clotaire King of Neustria and later sole King of the Franks, protector of Columbanus after his exile. g Clotaire, based on slanderous reports. Ragnegesilus, archbishop of that church and the same who ascended the see of Troyes in 631, knowing the merit of Vinebaud and the influence he could have on the king, came to find him and begged him to plead the cause of the innocent prelate. Vinebaud, touched by his words and his tears, went to the king's court, which was then in the vicinity of Rouen.
His journey was but an uninterrupted series of miracles.
He reached the king and asked him, on behalf of God and the people of Sens, for the restoration of the exiled Pontiff. Not only was his desire favorably received, but he also obtained the release of a large number of prisoners. He was charged with announcing this excellent news to Saint Leu. The meeting of the two servants of God was so touching that those present could not hold back their tears. They took the road to the court together, and Saint Leu, presented by Saint Vinebaud, appeared before the king. The sight of the prelate, pale and emaciated, deeply impressed Clotair Clotaire King of Neustria and later sole King of the Franks, protector of Columbanus after his exile. e, who threw himself on his knees, asked his forgiveness, had him dine at his table with the holy Abbot, and sent him back to his Church after having showered him with gifts.
Death and fate of the relics
Vinebaud died in 623; his relics were moved several times to protect them from the Normans and later from the Revolution.
After a long career, Saint Vinebaud exchanged this life of misery for the abode of the blessed on April 6, in the year 623.
His body was buried in his abbey of Saint-Loup (Saint-Martin-ès-Aires), from where it was removed in the year 891, along with that of the holy Bishop of Troyes, due to the fear of the Normans, who indeed ruined this monastery.
When there was no longer any need to fear the fury of these barbarians, the religious built a new church within the city under the name of Saint-Loup (it is now the public library), with Canons who, around 1135, became regular canons of the Order of Saint Augustine to serve it. The relics of Saint Vinebaud and Saint Loup were deposited there.
W hen the re saint Loup Bishop of Troyes and relative of Pulchronius, he was his teacher and mentor. ligious transported the body of Saint Vinebaud to the abbey of Saint-Loup, they built a chapel on the site of the Basilica of Saint-Loup, which they dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours; they left an arm of the holy Abbot there, so that it might also receive the homage of the faithful, in the very place where he had exercised his abbatial functions. The sacrilegious furies of the Rev olution de Révolution Period during which the saint's relics were hidden and lost. stroyed everything. Nothing remains but a part of the skull preserved at the Cathedral and a small bone at Saint-Aventin-sous-Verrières.
Heritage and local devotion
The cult of the saint endures through priories, miraculous fountains, and parish patronages in the Aube region.
The memory of Saint Vinebaud was also alive at Saint-Pierre de Bosseney. The solitude he had sanctified there became a priory of monks of Saint-Loup, who celebrated the canonical office there. The church was later burned down and no trace of it remained; the priory was then united with the abbey of Saint-Loup of Troyes. Only a chapel that can still be seen recalls this former priory and the name of Saint Vinebaud; it is located near a fountain whose clear and limpid waters are reputed to cure fever.
The feast of Saint Vinebaud is celebrated on April 6 in the parishes of which he is the patron: Bernon, Magnicourt, etc.
*Delar, Saints de Troyes.*
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born towards the end of the 6th century into a family of Roman origin
- Hermit retreat at Saint-Pierre-de-Bossensy
- Election as abbot of Saint-Loup in 583
- Embassy to King Clotaire in 614 to plead the cause of Saint Leu
- Liberation of numerous prisoners through his intercession
- Died on April 6, 623
Miracles
- Uninterrupted series of miracles during his journey to the king's court
- Bosseney fountain healing fever