A disciple of Jesus sent by Saint Peter, Flour evangelized Gallia Narbonensis, Lodève, and Aquitaine. He concluded his mission at Mont Indiciae, which took his name, after performing miracles such as the springing forth of a fountain. His relics were honored by Pope Urban II in 1095.
Guided reading
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SAINT FLOUR, BISHOP (1st and 2nd centuries).
Origins and mission in Narbonensis
A disciple of Christ sent by Saint Peter, Flour began his apostolate in Gallia Narbonensis, notably in Lodève where he combated idolatry.
According to the oldest monuments of the churches of Saint-Flour and Lodèv e, Saint Fl saint Flour Apostle of the Auvergne and legendary first bishop of Saint-Flour. our was one of the disciples of Our Lord, and it wa s Saint Pete saint Pierre Apostle mentioned for the setting of the procession date. r, the prince of the Apostles, who sent him to preach the Gospel in Gallia Narbonensis. Scarcely had he set foot on the soil of Lodève than his preaching caused the ancient oaks and old beeches to fall, that is to say, the idolatry that the peoples of Gaul practiced around the great trees. He then employed all his care in the instruction of the new converts, nourishing them with evangelical precepts with all the solicitude of a good shepherd.
Evangelization of Aquitaine
The saint continues his mission in Aquitaine and the Cévennes, performing miracles such as the springing forth of a fountain with a strike of his staff.
When he had established the church of Lodève on a firm footing, he headed toward Aquitaine to clear new regions, to spread the good seed in new lands in place of the uprooted tares. His conquests in this country were significant, thanks to the virtue of his preaching and his miracles. Having arrived with his companions at the summit of a hill, they became thirsty, and water was lacking to refresh them. Then Florus, with the staff h e held Florus Apostle of the Auvergne and legendary first bishop of Saint-Flour. in his hand, struck the earth, which opened to let flow a beautiful spring, the waters of which have never dried up since that day. After having evangelized Aquitaine and the Cévennes, he arrived among the Arverni.
Foundation in Arvernia
Flour established himself on Mount Indiciae, the site of the future city of Saint-Flour, to evangelize the mountains of Arvernia.
The brief of the holy Gospel halted at Mount Indici mont Indiciae Diocese mentioned for its proper liturgical texts. ae, in a very small town, which, subsequently, took the name of the apostle and was cal led Saint-F Saint-Flour Diocese mentioned for its proper liturgical texts. lour. From this summit, our blessed Flour, a true flower of heaven, spread the divine fragrance of Jesus Ch Arvernie Historical region of Auvergne evangelized by the saint. rist throughout the mountains of Arvernia.
Medieval Ecclesiastical Development
The influence of Cluny, the consecration of the cathedral by Urban II, and the erection of the diocese by John XXII mark the posthumous history of the saint.
Around the year 1000, Saint-Flour and its territory were given t o the Abbey of abbaye de Cluny Major Benedictine abbey of which Peter was the abbot. Cl uny. Saint Saint Odile Abbot of Cluny who had a church built in Saint-Flour. Odilo had a church built in the town, which he dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
A few years later, the foundations of the current cathedral were laid. Urban II Urbain II Pope who preached the First Crusade. consecrated it after the Council of Clermont and elevated the relics of Saint Flour onto the high altar (1095). F inally, J Jean XXII Pope who placed the diocese of Rieux under the protection of Saint Cizy. ohn XXII divided the Diocese of Clermont and erected the Abbey of Saint-Flour into a bishopric (1346).
Cult and relics
The cult of Saint Flour extends to Machy and Abbeville, where relics are preserved.
Saint-Flour is the patron saint of Machy; one of his relics is preserve d at Saint-Vulfran in Abb Saint-Vulfran d'Abbeville Site of the subsequent translation of the relics. eville. Proper of Saint-Flour and of Clermont. — See November 4.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Sent to Gallia Narbonensis by Saint Peter
- Evangelization of Lodève and destruction of idolatry
- Mission in Aquitaine and the Cévennes
- Miracle of the spring on a hilltop
- Settlement on Mount Indiciae (Saint-Flour)
Miracles
- Causes a spring of water to gush forth by striking the ground with his staff to quench his companions' thirst