A priest from Riom in the 5th century, Saint Amable was pastor of his native city before becoming precentor of the Cathedral of Clermont under Saint Sidonius Apollinaris. Renowned for his holiness, he died in 475. His cult is marked by numerous posthumous miracles and protection invoked against lightning and snakes.
Guided reading
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PRIEST AND PATRON OF RIOM, IN AUVERGNE (475).
Origins and Priesthood
Born in Riom in Auvergne, Amable manifested great virtue from his youth, which led him naturally toward the priesthood.
In the city of Clermont, in Auvergne, flourished a priest from Riom, un prêtre de Riom 5th-century Auvergnat priest, patron saint of Riom. of admirable holiness. He was born in the latter city and showed from his youth such virtuous inclinations that he was judged worthy of the priesthood.
Ministry in Clermont and miracles
Called by Bishop Sidonius Apollinaris, he became precentor in Clermont. Gregory of Tours reports miracles of healing and exorcism at his tomb.
He had long administered the Church of Riom as pastor, when the Bishop of Auvergne, who was then, as it is believed, Saint Sidonius Apollina ris, summoned him to his saint Sidoine Apollinaire Bishop of Clermont-Ferrand who praised Count Ecdicius. episcopal city and established him as precentor of his cathedral. Saint Gregory of Tours says he saw befo Saint Grégoire de Tours Historian and bishop, primary source for the narrative. re his tomb a possessed person delivered, and a perjurer who became stiff as an iron bar, and who, having confessed his crime, immediately obtained pardon along with his healing.
Historical testimonies and burial
A 10th-century manuscript attests to the presence of his relics in the church of Saint-Bénigne in Clermont.
In a book written around the middle of the 10th century, by an anonymous author, on the Churches and Altars that exist in Clermont, one reads: "In the church of Saint-Bénigne, the a ltar of Sain saint Amable 5th-century Auvergnat priest, patron saint of Riom. t Amable where Saint Amable rests in body."
Hagiography and cult in Riom
His life was written by Saint Prix and the archpriest Juste. His cult is centered in Riom where his relics are honored on October 18.
His life was first composed in verse by Saint Prix, bishop, and subsequently at greater length by Juste, archpriest. His cult is celebrated mainly in the city of Riom ville de Riom Administrative arrondissement mentioned to locate Artonne. , where his relics are kept very respectfully in the parish church, then called Saint-Bénigne and later Saint-Amable, and now a secular collegiate church. His feast is celebrated throughout the diocese of Cl ermont on October 1 diocèse de Clermont City of origin of the two saints. 8, although he died on November 1 in the year 475.
Vow of Dijon and specific protections
In 1686, the chapter of Dijon invoked him against lightning. He is also petitioned against viper bites.
In the year 1686, the abbot and the chapter of the church of Sain t-Éti Dijon City where the relics were temporarily hidden and disputed. enne in Dijon made a solemn vow to Saint Amable, to obtain in the future his protection against lightning, which had just damaged their church. It is since that time that, in fulfillment of this vow, his feast is celebrated in this church.
Saint Amable, of whom a re lic is preserved at Saint-Pierre-de-Roye Location of a relic in the Diocese of Amiens. Saint-Pierre-de-Roye, in the diocese of Amiens, is invoked against the bite of vipers.
Propre de Dijon, and Hagiography of the diocese of Amiens, by Abbé Corblet.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Riom
- Ordination to the priesthood
- Administration of the Church of Riom as pastor
- Appointed precentor of Clermont Cathedral by Saint Sidonius Apollinaris
- Died in the year 475
Miracles
- Deliverance of a possessed person before his tomb
- Healing of a perjurer who had become stiff as an iron bar
- Protection of the Saint-Étienne church in Dijon against lightning following a vow in 1686