Theodard of Maastricht was a seventh-century bishop of Maastricht-Liège, in present-day

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

. As Theodard was murdered while on his way to protest the plundering of his diocese by Frankish nobles, he is considered a martyr. His feast day is 10 September. Theodard was uncle to his successor

Lambert of Maastricht Lambert of Maastricht, commonly referred to as Saint Lambert ( la, Lambertus; Middle Dutch: ''Sint-Lambrecht''; li, Lambaer, Baer, Bert(us); 636 – c. 705 AD) was the bishop of Maastricht-Liège ( Tongeren) from about 670 until his death. La ...

, and therefore brother or brother-in-law to Robert II, Lord Chancellor of France.

Sources

What little we know about Theodard comes from a seventh century biography, probably written by

Heriger of Lobbes Herigerus ( – 31 October 1007) was a Benedictine monk, often known as Heriger of Lobbes for serving as abbot of the abbey of Lobbes between 990 and 1007. Remembered for his writings as theologian and historian, Herigerus was a teacher to numero ...

. There is also a later biography by

Anselm of Liège Anselm of Liège (1008 – c. 1056) was a chronicler of the eleventh century of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Biography He was educated at the episcopal school of Liège, and became canon and dean of the cathedral, where he enjoyed the friendshi ...

."Den hellige Theodard av Tongeren-Maastricht (~615-~670)", Diocese of Oslo
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Life

Theodard (known as also Diethardt or Dodart) is thought to have been a disciple of

Remaclus Saint Remaclus (Remaculus, Remacle, Rimagilus; died 673) was a Benedictine missionary bishop. Life Remaclus grew up at the Aquitanian ducal court and studied under Sulpitius the Pious, bishop of Bourges. In 625 he became a monk at Luxeuil Abbe ...

at the monastery of Stavelot in Belgium. When Remaclus became bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht in around 653, Theodard succeeded him as abbot of the double monastery of Stavelot-Malmedy. When Remaclus retired to Stavelot in 663, Theodard succeeded him as bishop of Maastricht. His biographers describe him as a cheerful and likeable person who performed his role as bishop with great energy and pastoral care. As bishop, in 664 he presided over the dedication of

Trudo Saint Trudo (Tron, Trond, Trudon, Trutjen, Truyen) (died ca. 698) was a saint of the seventh century. He is called the "Apostle of Hesbaye" (partly in the provinces of Brabant and Limburg, Belgium). His feast day is celebrated on 23 November. ...

abbey An abbey is a type of monastery used by members of a religious order under the governance of an abbot or abbess. Abbeys provide a complex of buildings and land for religious activities, work, and housing of Christian monks and nuns. The conce ...

(Saint-Trond) to St. Quentin and St. Remigius of Reims. He was murdered, probably c.670, while on a journey through the forest of Bienwald near Speyer, on his way to seek justice from

Childeric II of Austrasia Childeric II (c. 653 – 675) was the king of Austrasia from 662 and of Neustria and Burgundy from 673 until his death, making him sole King of the Franks for the final two years of his life. Childeric was the second eldest son of King Clovis ...

in a legal dispute regarding Frankish nobles plundering the diocese. It is generally suspected that the murder was carried out on behalf of the nobles. At first buried at the scene in Rülzheim, his body was later transferred to Liege by his nephew and successor,

Veneration

Because he was murdered on his way to defend the rights of the Church, he was honored as a martyr. A chapel was built at his place of death and original burial in Rülzheim, called the "Dieterskirchel". The place became an important pilgrimage site and is one of the oldest in the diocese of Speyer.

Baronius Cesare Baronio (as an author also known as Caesar Baronius; 30 August 1538 – 30 June 1607) was an Italian cardinal and historian of the Catholic Church. His best-known works are his ''Annales Ecclesiastici'' ("Ecclesiastical Annals"), whi ...

added his name to Roman Martyrology when it was revised in the late 1500s. Theodard is venerated as the patron saint of drovers, cattle dealers and the city of Maastricht."Theodard von Tongern-Maastricht", Ökumenisches Heiligenlexikon
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Dieterskirchel

The chapel was built on the eastern edge of a vast forest south of the town of Rülzheim, and attracted pilgrimages and processions from Rülzheim, Rheinzabern, and elsewhere. Anselm of Liège mentions a church built in honor of St. Theodard in the eleventh century. A larger church replaced it the fourteenth century but was subsequently demolished.

References

Sources

*Paul Burns, ''Butler's Lives of the Saints'', September (2000), pp. 90–1. {{Authority control 7th-century Frankish bishops 7th-century Christian saints People from Maastricht