The diocese of Auxerre ( la, dioecesis Antissiodorensis) is a former French Roman Catholic diocese. Its historical episcopal see was in the city of

Auxerre Auxerre ( , ) is the capital of the Yonne department and the fourth-largest city in Burgundy. Auxerre's population today is about 35,000; the urban area (''aire d'attraction'') comprises roughly 113,000 inhabitants. Residents of Auxerre are r ...

Burgundy Burgundy (; french: link=no, Bourgogne ) is a historical territory and former administrative region and province of east-central France. The province was once home to the Dukes of Burgundy from the early 11th until the late 15th century. The c ...

, now part of eastern France. Currently the non-metropolitan Archbishop of Sens, ordinary of the diocese of Sens and Auxerre, resides in Auxerre.

Ecclesiastical history

The ''Gesta pontificum Autissiodorensium'', written about 875 by the

canon Canon or Canons may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Canon (fiction), the conceptual material accepted as official in a fictional universe by its fan base * Literary canon, an accepted body of works considered as high culture ** Western ca ...

s Rainogala and Alagus, and later continued up to 1278, gives a list of bishops of Auxerre.

Louis Duchesne Louis Marie Olivier Duchesne (; 13 September 1843 – 21 April 1922) was a French priest, philologist, teacher and a critical historian of Christianity and Roman Catholic liturgy and institutions. Life Descended from a family of Breton sailors, ...

regards the list as mostly accurate, but very arbitrary in its dates prior to the 7th century. Auxerre is remarkable among French churches for the number of its bishops who have come to be regarded as saints.

Bishops of the original ''Gesta''

St. Peregrinus (Pélérin 'pilgrim') was the founder of the See of Auxerre; according to the legend, he was sent by Pope

Sixtus II Pope Sixtus II ( el, Πάπας Σίξτος Β΄), also written as Pope Xystus II, was bishop of Rome from 31 August 257 until his death on 6 August 258. He was martyred along with seven deacons, including Lawrence of Rome, during the persecutio ...

and was martyred under Emperor

Diocletian Diocletian (; la, Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, grc, Διοκλητιανός, Diokletianós; c. 242/245 – 311/312), nicknamed ''Iovius'', was Roman emperor from 284 until his abdication in 305. He was born Gaius Valerius Diocles ...

in 303 or 304. After Peregrine, the original 870s ''Gesta'' list: * St. Marcellianus * Valerianus * St. Helladius * St. Amator (d. 418), who had been ordained

deacon A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Churc ...

and

tonsure Tonsure () is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the scalp as a sign of religious devotion or humility. The term originates from the Latin word ' (meaning "clipping" or "shearing") and referred to a specific practice in ...

d by St. Helladius and who thus affords the earliest example of ecclesiastical tonsure mentioned in the religious history of France * St. Germanus of Auxerre (418–448), to whom the abbey in Auxerre is dedicated * St. Allodius * St. Fratemus *

St. Censurius ST, St, or St. may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Stanza, in poetry * Suicidal Tendencies, an American heavy metal/hardcore punk band * Star Trek, a science-fiction media franchise * Summa Theologica, a compendium of Catholic philosophy an ...

, to whom about 475 the priest Constantius sent the Life of St. Germain * St. Ursus * St. Theodosius, who assisted in 511 at the

First Council of Orléans The First Council of Orléans was convoked by Clovis I, King of the Franks, in 511. Clovis called for this synod four years after his victory over the Visigoths under Alaric II at the Battle of Vouillé in 507. The council was attended by thirty-two ...

* St. Gregorius *

St. Optatus Saint Optatus, sometimes anglicized as St. Optate, was Bishop of Mila, Algeria, Milevis, in Numidia, in the fourth century, remembered for his writings against Donatism. Biography and context Optatus was a convert, as we gather from Augustine of ...

* St. Droctoaldus * St. Eleutherius, who assisted at four Councils of Orléans between 533 and 549 * St. Romanus (†ca. 564) *

St. Actherius ST, St, or St. may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Stanza, in poetry * Suicidal Tendencies, an American heavy metal/hardcore punk band * Star Trek, a science-fiction media franchise * Summa Theologica, a compendium of Catholic philosophy ...

*St.

Aunacharius Saint Aunarius (Aunacharius) (french: Aunaire, Aunachaire, Anachaire) (c.540–c.603) was bishop of Auxerre during the 6th century. Being of noble birth, he was brought up in the royal court of Guntram, but wanted to become a priest, and was orda ...

(Aunaire; 573–605), uncle of St. Lupus, Archbishop of Sens who held the

Council of Auxerre The Councils of Auxerre were local church councils held in the Ancient Diocese of Auxerre. First Council of Auxerre The first Council of Auxerre was held in 585 (or 578) by St. Annacharius. It formulated forty-five canons, closely related in cont ...

which illustrated the customs among both the newly converted

Teutonic tribes Teutonic or Teuton(s) may refer to: Peoples and cultures * Teutons, a Germanic tribe or Celtic tribe mentioned by Greek and Roman authors ** ''Furor Teutonicus'', a Latin phrase referring to the proverbial ferocity of the Teutons * Having qualit ...

and their

Gallo-Roman Gallo-Roman culture was a consequence of the Romanization of Gauls under the rule of the Roman Empire. It was characterized by the Gaulish adoption or adaptation of Roman culture, language, morals and way of life in a uniquely Gaulish context ...

neighbours * St. Desiderius (Didier) * St. Palladius, who assisted at several councils in 627, 650 and 654 *

St. Vigilius Saint Vigilius of Trent ( it, San Vigilio di Trento, german: Vigilius von Trient; c. 353 – 26 June 405) is venerated as the patron saint and bishop of Trent. He should not be confused with the pope of the same name. Life According to tradit ...

, who was assassinated about 684, doubtless at the instigation of

Gistemar Gistemar, Ghislemar, or Gilmer (died in the 680s) was briefly the mayor of the palace in Neustria and Burgundy after deposing his father Waratton in 682. He reversed the peace with Austrasia of his father and warred with Pepin of Heristal, overc ...

, son of

Waratton Waratto (died 686) was the mayor of the palace of Neustria and Burgundy on two occasions, owing to the deposition he experienced at the hands of his own faithless son. His first term lasted from 680 or 681 (the death of Ebroin) to 682, when h ...

, mayor of the palace * St. Tetricius (692–707) * Savaric (710–715) * Aidulf (perhaps 751–766) *

Maurin Maurin is a surname, and may refer to: * Antoine Maurin (1771–1830), French cavalry commander. * Antoine Maurin (1793–1860), French lithographer. * Charles Maurin (1856–1914), French painter, engraver, and an anarchist. * Eva Maurin (1993), ...

(perhaps 766–794) * Blessed Aaron (perhaps 794–807) *Blessed Angelelmus (807–828) * St. Heribaldus (829–857), first chaplain of

Louis the Pious Louis the Pious (german: Ludwig der Fromme; french: Louis le Pieux; 16 April 778 – 20 June 840), also called the Fair, and the Debonaire, was King of the Franks and co-emperor with his father, Charlemagne, from 813. He was also King of Aqui ...

, and several times given ambassadorial charges * St. Abbo (857–869) * Blessed Christian (860–871)

Later additions

* Wibaldus (879–887) * Herifridus (Herfroy; 887–909) * St. Géran (909–914) * St. Betto (933–961) *Guy (933–961) *Heribert I (971-996) *John (996–999) * Hugh of Chalon (999–1030) *Heribert II (1039-1052) *Geoffrey of Champallemand (1052-1076) *Robert of Nevers (1076-1092) * Humbaud (1095–1114), drowned on the way to Jerusalem * St. Hugues de Montaigu (1116–1136), a friend of St. Bernard * Hugues de Mâcon (1137–1151), Abbot of

Pontigny Pontigny () is a commune in the Yonne department in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in north-central France. Sight Its principal distinction is as the home of Pontigny Abbey. See also *Communes of the Yonne department The following is a list of t ...

, often charged by

Pope Eugenius III Pope Eugene III ( la, Eugenius III; c. 1080 – 8 July 1153), born Bernardo Pignatelli, or possibly Paganelli, called Bernardo da Pisa, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 February 1145 to his death in 1153. He w ...

with adjusting differences and re-establishing order in monasteries * Alanus (1152–1167), author of a life of St. Bernard * Guillaume de Toucy (1167–1181), the first French bishop who went to Rome to acknowledge the authority of

Pope Alexander III Pope Alexander III (c. 1100/1105 – 30 August 1181), born Roland ( it, Rolando), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 September 1159 until his death in 1181. A native of Siena, Alexander became pope after a con ...

. * Hugues de Noyers (1183–1206), known as the "hammer of heretics" for the vigour with which he sought out in his diocese the sects of the

Albigenses Catharism (; from the grc, καθαροί, katharoi, "the pure ones") was a Christian dualist or Gnostic movement between the 12th and 14th centuries which thrived in Southern Europe, particularly in northern Italy and southern France. Follo ...

and the "Caputiés" (mainly in Sens) * Guillaume de Seignelay (1207–1220), who took part in the war against the Albigenses and in 1230 became the

bishop of Paris The Archdiocese of Paris (Latin: ''Archidioecesis Parisiensis''; French: ''Archidiocèse de Paris'') is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or archdiocese of the Catholic Church in France. It is one of twenty-three archdioceses in France ...

* Henry of Villeneuve (1220–1235) * Bernard de Sully (1235–1244) * Guy de Mello (1247–1270), who was

Apostolic delegate An apostolic nuncio ( la, nuntius apostolicus; also known as a papal nuncio or simply as a nuncio) is an ecclesiastical diplomat, serving as an envoy or a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or to an international o ...

in the crusade of

Charles of Anjou Charles I (early 1226/12277 January 1285), commonly called Charles of Anjou, was a member of the royal Capetian dynasty and the founder of the second House of Anjou. He was Count of Provence (1246–85) and Forcalquier (1246–48, 1256–85) i ...

against

Manfred ''Manfred: A dramatic poem'' is a closet drama written in 1816–1817 by Lord Byron. It contains supernatural elements, in keeping with the popularity of the ghost story in England at the time. It is a typical example of a Gothic fiction. Byr ...

* Pierre de Mornay (1296–1306), who negotiated between

Pope Boniface VIII Pope Boniface VIII ( la, Bonifatius PP. VIII; born Benedetto Caetani, c. 1230 – 11 October 1303) was the head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 24 December 1294 to his death in 1303. The Caetani, Caetani family was of b ...

and king Philip IV and in 1304 became chancellor of France * Pierre de Cros (1349–1351), cardinal in 1350 * Pierre de Longueil (1449–1474) * Enguerrand Signart (1474–1477) * John III Baillet (1477–1513) * François de Dinteville (1513–1530) *

Philippe de Lenoncourt Philippe de Lenoncourt (born 1527 in the Coupvray Castle; died on December 13, 1592 in Rome, Papal States) was a French cardinal of the Catholic Church. Biography Philippe de Lenoncourt was elected bishop of Châlons in 1550 as the successor ...

(1560–1562), cardinal in 1586 * Philibert Babou de la Bourdaisière (1562–1570), cardinal in 1561 *

Jacques Amyot Jacques Amyot (; 30 October 15136 February 1593), French Renaissance bishop, scholar, writer and translator, was born of poor parents, at Melun. Biography Amyot found his way to the University of Paris, where he supported himself by serving som ...

the scholar (1571–1593), translator of the works of

Plutarch Plutarch (; grc-gre, Πλούταρχος, ''Ploútarchos''; ; – after AD 119) was a Greek Middle Platonist philosopher, historian, biographer, essayist, and priest at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. He is known primarily for his ''P ...

and

Diodorus Siculus Diodorus Siculus, or Diodorus of Sicily ( grc-gre, Διόδωρος ; 1st century BC), was an ancient Greek historian. He is known for writing the monumental universal history ''Bibliotheca historica'', in forty books, fifteen of which su ...

tutor TUTOR, also known as PLATO Author Language, is a programming language developed for use on the PLATO system at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign beginning in roughly 1965. TUTOR was initially designed by Paul Tenczar for use in co ...

of Charles IX,

grand almoner An almoner (} ' (alms), via the popular Latin '. History Christians have historically been encouraged to donate one-tenth of their income as a tithe to their church and additional offerings as needed for the poor. The first deacons, mentioned ...

of kings Charles IX and Henry III * Pierre de Broc (1640-1671) *

Charles de Caylus Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English and French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*karilaz'' (in Latin alphabet), whose meaning was "f ...

(1704–1754), who made his diocese a centre of

Jansenism Jansenism was an early modern theological movement within Catholicism, primarily active in the Kingdom of France, that emphasized original sin, human depravity, the necessity of divine grace, and predestination. It was declared a heresy by t ...

and whose published works in four volumes were condemned by Rome in 1754. On November 29, 1801, the diocese of Auxerre was suppressed. On October 7, 1817, it was restored, but in 1821 it was suppressed again. On June 3, 1823, it was united once more to the diocese of Sens. The newly united diocese soon became an archdiocese, but after many years, in 2006, which in turn lost its Metropolitan status in 2006 and became a suffragan see of the Ecclesiastical Province of the

Dijon Dijon (, , ) (dated) * it, Digione * la, Diviō or * lmo, Digion is the prefecture of the Côte-d'Or department and of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in northeastern France. the commune had a population of 156,920. The earlies ...

. The Cathedral of Auxerre, completed in 1178, contains numerous sculptures in the Byzantine style.

Notes

References

Bibliography

* * pp. 72–73. (in Latin) * pp. 80–81. * pp. 95–96. * p. 70. * p. 70. * p. 67.

External links

GigaCatholic- Sens

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ancient Diocese of Auxerre

Aux

Yonne History of Burgundy 4th-century establishments in Roman Gaul