Saint Reticius (or ''Rheticus, Rheticius'') (french: Saint Rhétice, link=no) (early 4th century) was a
bishop of Autun
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Autun (–Chalon-sur-Saône–Mâcon–Cluny) (Latin: ''Dioecesis Augustodunensis (–Cabillonensis–Matisconensis–Cluniacensis)''; French: ''Diocèse d'Autun (–Chalon-sur-Saône–Mâcon–Cluny)''), more simpl ...
, the first one known to history, according to the ''
Catholic Encyclopedia
The ''Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church'' (also referred to as the ''Old Catholic Encyclopedia'' and the ''Original Catholic Encyclopedia'') i ...
''. He was a
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 ...
, and an ecclesiastical writer, and served as bishop of this see from around 310 to 334 AD.
He traveled on behalf of Emperor
Constantine the Great
Constantine I ( , ; la, Flavius Valerius Constantinus, ; ; 27 February 22 May 337), also known as Constantine the Great, was Roman emperor from AD 306 to 337, the first one to Constantine the Great and Christianity, convert to Christiani ...
in 313 to the
Synod of Rome The Synod of Rome may refer to a number of synods or councils of the Roman Catholic Church, held in Rome.
Some of these synods include:
*Synod of Rome (313), attended by the bishop of Beneventum, and Reticius, bishop of Autun
*Council of Rome (382 ...
and in 314 to the
Synod of Arles
Arles (ancient Arelate) in the south of Roman Gaul (modern France) hosted several councils or synods referred to as ''Concilium Arelatense'' in the history of the early Christian church.
Council of Arles in 314
The first council of Arles"Arles, S ...
, in order to bring about a resolution to the dispute with the
Donatists
Donatism was a Christian sect leading to a schism in the Church, in the region of the Church of Carthage, from the fourth to the sixth centuries. Donatists argued that Christian clergy must be faultless for their ministry to be effective and th ...
.
Gregory of Tours
Gregory of Tours (30 November 538 – 17 November 594 AD) was a Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours, which made him a leading prelate of the area that had been previously referred to as Gaul by the Romans. He was born Georgius Florenti ...
praised Reticius in his writings.
Saint Jerome
Jerome (; la, Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος Σωφρόνιος Ἱερώνυμος; – 30 September 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon, was a Christian priest, confessor, theologian, and historian; he is comm ...
mentions Reticius in his ''
De Viris Illustribus
''De Viris Illustribus'', meaning "concerning illustrious men", represents a genre of literature which evolved during the Italian Renaissance in imitation of the exemplary literature of Ancient Rome. It inspired the widespread commissioning of g ...
'':
:Reticius, bishop of Autun, among the
Aedui
The Aedui or Haedui (Gaulish: *''Aiduoi'', 'the Ardent'; grc, Aἴδουοι) were a Gallic tribe dwelling in the modern Burgundy region during the Iron Age and the Roman period.
The Aedui had an ambiguous relationship with the Roman Republic ...
, had a great reputation in Gaul in the reign of
:Constantine. I have read his commentaries ''On the
Song of Songs'' and another great volume
:''Against
Novatian
Novatian (c. 200–258) was a scholar, priest, and theologian. He is considered by the Catholic Church to have been an antipope between 251 and 258. Some Greek authors give his name as Novatus, who was an African presbyter.
He was a noted theolo ...
'' but besides these, I have found no works of his.
Reticius was succeeded by
Cassian of Autun
Saint Cassian of Autun (french: Cassien) (died ca. 350 AD) was a 4th-century bishop of Autun. He may have been an Egyptian by birth.Benedictine Monks, ''Book of the Saints'' (Kessinger Publishing, 2003), p. 59. He traveled to Autun and was a foll ...
, also venerated as a saint.
References
External links
*
Reticius von Autun
{{authority control
4th-century bishops in Gaul
Bishops of Autun
330s deaths
Gallo-Roman saints
Aedui
Year of birth unknown