Saint Odolric
Canon and Archdeacon of Langres, Archbishop of Lyon
Formerly archdeacon of Langres, Odolric was appointed Archbishop of Lyon in 1041 by Emperor Henry III on the advice of Halinard. His five-year episcopate brought peace to the province after long troubles. He died poisoned in 1046 by enemies jealous of his zeal.
Guided reading
3 reading sections
SAINT ODOLRIC, CANON AND ARCHDEACON OF LANGRES, ARCHBISHOP OF LYON (1046).
Context and nomination
After a long vacancy of the see of Lyon, Emperor Henry III chose Odolric, archdeacon of Langres, upon the recommendation of Abbot Halinard.
Henry III Henri III Holy Roman Emperor who accompanied Bruno during his accident. , Emperor of Germany and King of Burgundy, weary of the troubles that had devastated the Church of Lyon during the time of Burchard II, archbishop of that city, and which continued during the long years of the vacancy of this see, designated to fill it Halinard, abbot of Saint-Bénigne of Dijon, whom he had formerly known particularly well and whose piety and religious conduct had won his sympathies. The latter declined the burden that one wished to impose upon him and which, in fact, was too heavy for the shoulders of a monk. He persuaded the prince to shift his choice to Odo Odolric Archbishop of Lyon and martyr by poisoning. lric, a cleric and archdea con of Langres City of origin of the cleric Warnahaire and several cited martyrs. Langres, as advanced in age as in holiness, very learned in sacred letters, and who was then in the king's palace, but entirely unknown and forgotten.
Episcopacy and martyrdom
Appointed in 1041, Odolric brought peace to Lyon before being assassinated by poisoning in 1046 by jealous enemies.
Upon the report made to him at Besançon and at the request of both the bishops and the faithful, the king appointed Odolric to the Odolric Archbishop of Lyon and martyr by poisoning. archbishopric in 1041, after having him invested with the pontifical insignia. Tranquility was immediately restored to the province, and everyone showed themselves satisfied with a peace so long awaited. Odolric governed the Church of Lyon for five years, and edified his flock by his words, by his works, and by his example. His zeal created enemies who meditated on killing him by the sword, then resolved to get rid of him by poison. They accomplished their execrable design in 1046, and subsequen tly, Hal Halinard Abbot of Saint-Bénigne de Dijon and successor to Odolric. inard, the devoted friend of Odolric, was obliged to succeed him.
Hagiographic sources
The sources mentioned include Fisquet's France pontificale and the chronicles of Saint-Bénigne and Hugh of Flavigny.
La France pontificale, by Fisquet; Vies des Saints de la Haute-Morne, by Abbé Godard. — Cf. Chronicle of Saint-Bénigne of Dijon and Chronicle of Hugh of Flavigny.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Cleric and archdeacon of Langres
- Presence at the palace of King Henry III
- Appointment to the Archbishopric of Lyon in 1041
- Governance of the Church of Lyon for five years
- Died by poisoning in 1046