Donatien and Rogatien, known as the Children of Nantes, are two brother martyrs whose cult has been deeply rooted in Nantes since antiquity. Their relics, after several translations and the turmoil of the Revolution, rest today in the parish church dedicated to them.
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RELICS AND CULT OF SAINTS DONATIEN AND ROGATIEN.
Burial and early monuments
The bodies of the martyrs were initially buried at the site of their execution in Nantes, where monuments and crosses were erected and restored after the Revolution.
The bodies of the holy Marty saints Martyrs Martyr from Nantes whose basilica is linked to the miracle of the siege. rs were buried near the place where they had suffered death, and were later placed in a tomb that the Christians built for them, at the foot of which several ancient bishops of Nant es wis Nantes Episcopal city and principal site of the saint's cult. hed to be buried. In the past, a monument marked the precise spot where they had suffered death. The revolut ionaries having over Les révolutionnaires Period during which the saint's relics were hidden and lost. turned it, two crosses were planted there in 1816, and an inscription was placed to commemorate the martyrdom of the two brothers.
The Church of the Holy Martyrs
A church was built as early as the 5th century over their tomb, passing from the monks of Bourg-Dieu to the canons of Nantes before being restored in 1806.
As early as the end of the 5th century, a beautiful church was built over the tomb of the holy Martyrs, which was first p ossessed by the monk moines de Bourg-Dieu Abbey that possessed the church of the martyrs. s of Bourg-Dieu, in Berry; they later ceded or returned it to the canons of Nantes, and it is now a parish church. During the Revolution, it was partially destroyed. Two pious ladies had it restored at their own expense in 1806 and returned it to divine worship. It is located at one of the ends of the city and near the main road to Paris.
Religious foundations and transformations
Duke John III founded a second church in 1325, which was later transformed into a Charterhouse by Francis I of Brittany, and subsequently occupied by the Visitandines.
The foundation of another church of Saint Donatian and Saint Rogatian, in th e Saint-Clémen Saint-Donatien Martyr from Nantes whose basilica is linked to the miracle of the siege. t subur b of the city Saint-Rogatien Martyr from Nantes, brother of Donatian. of Nantes, and the establishment of six canons to perform the service there, is attributed to the Duke of Brittany, John IV; but this is an error: this foundat ion belongs duc Jean III Duke of Brittany whose death triggered the War of the Breton Succession. to Duke John III, who established François Ier Duke of Brittany who established a Carthusian community in 1445. it in 1325. Francis I, one of his successors, instead of six canons or chaplains, established a c ommunity of Carthusians communauté de Chartreux Religious order welcomed by Engelbert in Cologne. in this same place in the year 1445. This church was destroyed during the Revolution. The ladies of the Visitation now occupy the buildings of the Charterhouse.
Translation of the relics
In 1145, the bodies were transferred to the cathedral of Nantes by Albert of Ostia; a portion of the relics was lost during the Revolution.
The bodies of the two Saints were raised from the earth in the year 1145 by Albert, Bishop of Ostia, who performed their tran slation to the cathe cathédrale de Nantes Episcopal city and principal site of the saint's cult. dral church of Nantes, in the presence of Hugh, Archbishop of Rouen, and several other prelates. These precious relics are now kept in the parish church dedicated to the holy Martyrs, where they have been enclosed in two beautiful silver reliquaries. Only a few bones remain of each of the two bodies. A portion had been carried to the cathedral church and was kept there above the side doors of the choir. This treasure was lost during the Revolution along with Révolution Period during which the saint's relics were hidden and lost. the other relics of the same church.
Liturgical cult and historical sources
The feast of the 'Nantais Children' is set for May 24, based on 5th-century acts and the works of Dom Lobineau.
The feast of these two Saints was celebrated on May 24 in the diocese of Nantes, with an octave, and until 1804 it was a day of obligation. Now, it is transferred to the Sunday within the octave of the Ascension. The two Saints are often referred to by the name of Enfants Nantais Martyr from Nantes, brother of Donatian. Nantais Children.
Life of the Sai nts of Britt Dom Lobineau Hagiographer and historian of Brittany. any, by Dom Lobineau, revised by Abbé Tresvaux. The Acts that we possess were written in the 5th century by an anonymous author. Dom Ruinart admitted them into his collection.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Martyrdom in Nantes
- Initial burial at the site of the execution
- Construction of a church over their tomb at the end of the 5th century
- Translation of the relics to the Cathedral of Nantes in 1145 by Albert, Bishop of Ostia
- Partial destruction of the shrines during the Revolution
- Restoration of the cult in 1806