Born in Limoges in the 6th century, Saint Arède (or Yriez) was a chancellor at the court of Austrasia before dedicating himself to God under the influence of Saint Nicetius. Founder of the monastery of Atane, he distinguished himself through his miracles, notably the healing of many sick people and the springing forth of a spring. He died in 591 after instituting Saint Martin and Saint Hilary as his spiritual heirs.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
SAINT ARÈDE OR YRIEZ, ABBOT,
FOUNDER OF THE MONASTERY OF ATAINE, IN THE DIOCESE OF LIMOGES (591).
Origins and life at court
Born in Limoges around 511 into a noble family, Arède served at the court of Austrasia under King Theodebert before being called to the clerical life by the bishop of Trier.
Saint Yriez was born in Limo ges around the year 511; he was the son of Joco nd and Pelagia, both commendable for their nobility and virtue. He received a Christian education and made great progress in the sciences. Having been sent to the court of Austrasia, he earned the esteem and affection of King Theodeb ert; and if on e is to believe some authors, he became chancellor to this prince. Saint Nicetius, bishop of Trier, who had noticed something divine in his countenance, made him leave the world and admitted him into the ranks of his clergy. It was during this time that God showed his holiness through a miraculous sign reported by Saint Gregory of Tours .
The mystical dove
A divine sign manifests in the form of a white dove landing on him during the office, symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit.
One day, while the clerics were chanting the psalms in the church, a dove of dazzling whiteness was seen descending, which, after fluttering around Arède, land ed on his head, as if to indicate that he was already entirely filled with the Holy Spirit. As he found himself embarrassed and wished to drive it away, it fluttered a little more, and again landed on his head and on his scapular; it even accompanied him as if playing around him all the way to the bishop's house.
The Monastery of Atane
Upon returning to Limousin, he founded the monastery of Atane, of which he became the abbot, establishing a rule inspired by the Church Fathers with the support of his mother.
His father and brother having died, Arède returned to Limoges to console his mother. But he changed nothing in the plan of life he had laid out for himself. Some time later, he founded the monastery of Atane, in Limousin, and was its first abbot. The religious men he first had under his guidance were from his own family. The rule he gave them was composed of the institutions of Cassian, those of Saint Basil, and the maxims of the ancient Fathers. Pelagi a, his mother, provided the things necessary for the maintenance of the community.
Miracles and end of life
Renowned for his healings and miracles over the elements, he died in 591 after designating Saint Hilary and Saint Martin as his spiritual heirs.
Saint Gregory of Tours says that he could not count all the sick whom Saint Yriez healed by the sign of the cross. Once he made an abundant spring gush from arid land by planting a rod he held in his hand. Another time, as he was building an oratory in honor of Saint Julian, martyr, he caused a torrential rain that was disturbing the work to cease through his prayers. After having instituted Saint Hilary and Saint Martin as his heirs by testament, he was taken from this world by dysentery, in the year 591, on August 25.
Posterity and Cult
His funeral was marked by miraculous healings, and his relics were the subject of a solemn elevation in the 12th century.
Saint Ferréol, Bishop of Limoges, attended his funeral. Two women possessed by the devil were healed there. The body of Saint Arède was raised from the tom b by Suibrand, Bishop of Li moges, on the Sunday after Rogation Days, May 17, in the year 1181.
Proper of Limoges.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Aredius (Yrieix)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Aredius (Yrieix)
Who was Saint Aredius (Yrieix)?
Born in Limoges in the 6th century, Saint Arède (or Yriez) was a chancellor at the court of Austrasia before dedicating himself to God under the influence of Saint Nicetius. Founder of the monastery of Atane, he distinguished himself through his miracles, notably the healing of many sick people and the springing forth of a spring. He died in 591 after instituting Saint Martin and Saint Hilary as his spiritual heirs.
What is Saint Aredius (Yrieix) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Aredius (Yrieix): Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche and Limoges.
What is Saint Aredius (Yrieix) invoked for?
Saint Aredius (Yrieix) is invoked for: healing of the sick and deliverance of the possessed.
How is Saint Aredius (Yrieix) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Aredius (Yrieix) is recognizable by: white dove on head or shoulder, abbot's staff and wand (causing a spring to gush forth).
What miracles are attributed to Saint Aredius (Yrieix)?
5 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Vision / apparition, Sign / wonder, Healing and Mastery of the elements.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Aredius (Yrieix)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Remigius (Apostle of the Franks), Saint Antide of Besançon, Saint Eugene of Carthage and Saint Nicaise of Reims.
When did Saint Aredius (Yrieix) die?
Saint Aredius (Yrieix) died around 591.
What are the other names of Saint Aredius (Yrieix)?
Other forms of the name: Yriez and Aredius.
Who are the relatives of Saint Aredius (Yrieix)?
Relatives of Saint Aredius (Yrieix): Jocond (father), Pélagie (mother) and Inconnu (brother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Limoges around 511
- Stay at the court of Austrasia with King Theodebert
- Entered holy orders under Saint Nicetius in Trier
- Foundation of the monastery of Atane in Limousin
- Drafting of a monastic rule based on Cassian and Saint Basil
- Elevation of the relics in 1181