Saint Vivence
A priest and disciple of Saint Hilary in the 5th century, Saint Vivence fled Palestine to take refuge in Gaul. After staying at the Château de Gravion, he retired as a hermit on the Île d'Olonne to dedicate himself to God. His relics were transferred to Burgundy in the 9th century and then to Vergy in the 11th century.
Contemporaries
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SAINT VIVENCE, PRIEST (400).
Exile and refuge in Gaul
Vivence fled Palestine with Bishop Benedict to take refuge with Saint Hilary, settling temporarily at the castle of Gravion.
Saint Vivence , priest, inscribed in the Roman Martyrology on the 13th of January, is counted by the most serious authors among the discip les of Saint Hilary, near whom he had taken refuge with Saint Benedict, Bishop of Semerie, when the latter was forced to flee Pale stine in the face of persecution. He remained for some time with his com panions at the cas tle of Gravion, where the monastery of Saint-Benoît de Quincey was later built, occupied in serving God. Afterwards, to be more free to attend to divine things, he withdrew as f ar as the is land of Olonne, today Sables d'Olonne in the Vendée. It is not known if he returned to die at the castle of Gravion; however, his relics were preserved there until around 868, at which time they were transported, for fear of the Norman s, to the town of Amanco (Amaucom), in Burgundy, in a monastery that was erected under his name. Finally, they were transferred once more, at the beginning of the 11th centu ry, to the monastery of Vergy, which was dedicated to him, and where his feast is celebrated on the day after Pentecost.
Retreat to the Island of Olonne
Seeking solitude for prayer, the priest retired to the island of Olonne, in present-day Vendée.
Saint Vivence, priest, inscribed in the Roman Martyrology on the 13th of January, is counted by the most serious authors among the disciples of Saint Hilary, near whom he had taken refuge with Saint Benedict, Bishop of Semerie, when the latter was forced to flee Palestine due to persecution. He remained for some time with his companions at the castle of Gravion, where the monastery of Saint-Benoît de Quincey was later built, occupied with serving God. Afterwards, to be more free to attend to divine things, he retired as far as the island of Olonne, today Sables d'Olonne in Vendée. It is not known if he returned to die at the castle of Gravion; however, his relics were preserved there until around 868, at which time they were transported, for fear of the Normans, to the village of Amanco (Amaucom), in Burgundy, in a monastery that was erected under his name. Finally, they were transferred once more, at the beginning of the 11th century, to the monastery of Vergy, which was dedicated to him, and where his feast is celebrated on the day after Pentecost.
Translation of the relics
His remains, threatened by the Normans in the 9th century, were transferred from Gravion to Burgundy, first to Amanco and then to Vergy.
Saint Vivence, priest, inscribed in the Roman Martyrology on the 13th of January, is counted by the most serious authors among the disciples of Saint Hilary, near whom he had taken refuge with Saint Benedict, Bishop of Semerie, when the latter was forced to flee Palestine before the persecution. He remained for some time with his companions at the castle of Gravion, where the monastery of Saint-Benoît de Quincey was later built, occupied in serving God. Afterwards, to be more free to attend to divine things, he withdrew as far as the island of Olonne, today Sables d'Olonne in the Vendée. It is not known if he returned to die at the castle of Gravion; however, his relics were preserved there until around 868, the time at which they were transported, for fear of the Normans, to the village of Amanco (Amaucom), in Burgundy, in a monastery which was erected under his name. Finally, they were transferred once more, at the beginning of the 11th century, to the monastery of Vergy, which was dedicated to him, and where his feast is celebrated on the day after Pentecost.
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Frequently asked questions about Saint Vivence
Who was Saint Vivence?
A priest and disciple of Saint Hilary in the 5th century, Saint Vivence fled Palestine to take refuge in Gaul. After staying at the Château de Gravion, he retired as a hermit on the Île d'Olonne to dedicate himself to God. His relics were transferred to Burgundy in the 9th century and then to Vergy in the 11th century.
What is Saint Vivence the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Vivence: Vergy Monastery and Saint Vivence Monastery of Amanco.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Vivence?
Contemporaries include: Saint Blaise, Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Saint Basil the Great (Archbishop of Caesarea) and Saint Baudilus.
When did Saint Vivence die?
Saint Vivence died around 400.
Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Disciple of Saint Hilary
- Fled Palestine with Saint Benedict of Semerie to escape persecution
- Stay at the Château de Gravion
- Retreat on the island of Olonne
- Translation of relics to Amanco in 868 to escape the Normans
- Translation of relics to the monastery of Vergy in the 11th century