Saint Blitaire
Blier
Originally from Scotland, Saint Blitaire came to Gaul with Saint Foursy before retiring near Verdey in Champagne. There, he led a life of prayer and mortification, which was illustrated by miracles. His relics, kept in Broyes and later in Sézanne, were destroyed by the Calvinists in 1567.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
SAINT BLITAIRE OR BLIER, CONFESSOR,
Origins and arrival in Gaul
Blitaire, a native of Scotland, accompanied Saint Fursa to Gaul before settling in Champagne.
Blitaire was a native of Scotland. He came to Gaul with Sa int Fursa. T he latter stopped for some time on the coast, and later advanced as far as Picardy. Blitaire came to the territory of Séz anne, i n Champagne. He built a small mound there, not far from Verdey, where he spent his whole life in mortification and prayer. His death, like his life, was illustrated by miracles. Because of the fame of his name, the pious monks of Vauc houx founded a pri ory of their Order on the very site of his dwelling. The Canons of Broies transported his body to their church. In his honor, Baron Hugues de Broies and his wife Héliude richly endowe d this commun ity. Lo ng after, his body was transferred to Sézanne, in the church of Saint-Julien; it remained there until 1567, at which time the Calvinists, having seized Sézanne, broke the silver rel iquaries of Saint Blitaire and Saint Julien, converted them into currency, burned the relics, and scattered their ashes to the wind.
Eremitic life at Verdey
The saint settled near Sézanne, living in prayer and mortification until his death, which was illustrated by miracles.
Development of the cult and translations
His body was successively honored by the monks of Vauchoux, the canons of Broies, and then transferred to Sézanne.
Blitaire was a native of Scotland. He came to Gaul with Saint Foursy. The latter stopped for some time on the coast, and later advanced into Picardy. Blitaire came to the territory of Sézanne, in Champagne. He built a small mound there, not far from Verdey, where he spent his whole life in mortification and prayer. His death, like his life, was illustrated by miracles. Because of the fame of his name, the pious monks of Vauchoux founded a priory of their Order on the very site of his dwelling. The Canons of Broies transported his body to their church. In his honor, Baron Hugues de Broies and his wife Héliude richly endowed this community. Long after, his body was transferred to Sézanne, to the church of Saint-Julien; it remained there until 1567, at which time the Calvinists, having seized Sézanne, broke the silver reliquaries of Saint Blitaire and Saint Julien, converted them into currency, burned the relics, and scattered their ashes to the wind.
Profanation by the Calvinists
In 1567, the Calvinists seized Sézanne, destroyed the precious reliquaries, and burned the saint's relics.
Blitaire was a native of Scotland. He came to Gaul with Saint Fursy. The latter stopped for some time on the coast, and later advanced as far as Picardy. Blitaire came to the territory of Sézanne, in Champagne. He built a small mound there, not far from Verdey, where he spent his whole life in mortification and prayer. His death, like his life, was illustrated by miracles. Because of the fame of his name, the pious monks of Vauchoux founded a priory of their Order on the very site of his dwelling. The Canons of Broies transported his body to their church. In his honor, Baron Hugues de Broies and his wife Héliude richly endowed this community. Long after, his body was transferred to Sézanne, in the church of Saint-Julien; it remained there until 1567, the time when the Calvinists, having seized Sézanne, broke the silver reliquaries of Saint Blitaire and Saint Julien, converted them into currency, burned the relics, and scattered the ashes to the wind.
Sources
Mention of the Proper Antiphonary of Troyes as the source for this entry.
Proper Antiphonary of Troyes.
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 Blitaire (Blier)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Blitaire (Blier)
Who was Saint Blitaire (Blier)?
Originally from Scotland, Saint Blitaire came to Gaul with Saint Foursy before retiring near Verdey in Champagne. There, he led a life of prayer and mortification, which was illustrated by miracles. His relics, kept in Broyes and later in Sézanne, were destroyed by the Calvinists in 1567.
What is Saint Blitaire (Blier) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Blitaire (Blier): Verdey and Priory of Vauchoux.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Blitaire (Blier)?
1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Blitaire (Blier)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Priest (Prix), Saint Gregory the Great (Pope and Doctor of the Church), Saint Die (Didier, Deodat) and Saint Augustine of Canterbury.
When did Saint Blitaire (Blier) die?
Saint Blitaire (Blier) died around 700.
What are the other names of Saint Blitaire (Blier)?
Other forms of the name: Blier.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Arrival in Gaul with Saint Fursey
- Settled in the territory of Sézanne
- Construction of a mound near Verdey for a life of prayer
- Translation of the relics to the church of Broies
- Translation of the relics to the Saint-Julien church in Sézanne
- Destruction of relics by the Calvinists in 1567