A Lorraine nobleman and soldier at the court of the kings of France, Lothaire became a hermit after the death of his wife Tarcote. Having become Bishop of Séez by popular acclamation, he governed his diocese with wisdom before ending his days in the solitude of his hermitage in 756.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
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SAINT LOTHAIRE OR LOYER, BISHOP OF SÉEZ (756).
Origins and conversion
Coming from the Lorraine nobility and a former soldier, Lothaire embraced religious life after the death of his wife Tarcote.
Lothaire was from Lorraine, born of very noble blood. Some hagiographers make him the son of Lam bert, prince of Moselle and Lorraine. He was raised at the court of the kings of France and bore arms. But, having seen his wi fe Tarc ote, daugh ter of A stolphe, king of the Lombards, die, he opened his eyes to the inconstancy of human things, embraced the poverty of Jesus Christ, and, renouncing the world, he entered the paths of a calmer and safer life.
Eremitic life and foundation
After distributing his possessions, he established himself as a hermit near Argentan, attracting the faithful and founding what would become Saint-Loyer-des-Champs.
He shared his possessions among his sons, and, taking on a poor habit, he began to visit places of pilgrimage. Then he sought in the harshest deserts of Neustria a solitude where he could remain unknown to all. He found it near Argentan, on a hill then covered with great trees; he built himself a cell there in the shape of a tomb; and forgetting the world and himself, he occupied himself night and day with prayer, fasting, and God alone. The desert became populated, as a result of the crowd of faithful drawn there by the miracles of the holy anchorite, and a village formed there which took the name of the pious solitary, commonly cal led L ohier or Loyer; it is today Saint-Loyer-des -Champs (Orne).
Episcopate at Séez
Elected bishop of Séez by popular acclamation, he led his diocese with wisdom before retiring.
But the fame of his holiness spread more and more. The result was that the inhabitants of Séez r eque sted him as bishop, and despite his resistance he was raised to this see by the unanimous votes of the people.
He governed and defended his Church with as much wisdom as courage. After a long episcopate, feeling broken by labors and years, he asked his diocesans for permission to lay down the miter, and took the path back to his hermitage. There he lived for many more years, preparing himself through prayer, fasting, and mortifications for his blessed death, which occurred on June 15 in the year 756.
Retirement and death
He ended his days in his initial hermitage and died in 756, leaving behind a reputation for holiness and relics.
Proper of Séez. — We provide, in the Supplement, details on the relics of this holy Bishop, based on documents that only reached us after the printing of this Notice.
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 Lothaire (Loyer)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Lothaire (Loyer)
Who was Saint Lothaire (Loyer)?
A Lorraine nobleman and soldier at the court of the kings of France, Lothaire became a hermit after the death of his wife Tarcote. Having become Bishop of Séez by popular acclamation, he governed his diocese with wisdom before ending his days in the solitude of his hermitage in 756.
What is Saint Lothaire (Loyer) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Lothaire (Loyer): Saint-Loyer-des-Champs and Diocese of Séez.
How is Saint Lothaire (Loyer) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Lothaire (Loyer) is recognizable by: mitre, hermit's habit and tomb-shaped cell.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Lothaire (Loyer)?
1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Lothaire (Loyer)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Hidulph of Trier, Saint Ghislain (Guillain), Saint Lambert (Landebert) and Saint Amand of Maastricht.
When did Saint Lothaire (Loyer) die?
Saint Lothaire (Loyer) died around 800.
What are the other names of Saint Lothaire (Loyer)?
Other forms of the name: Loyer and Lohier.
Who are the relatives of Saint Lothaire (Loyer)?
Relatives of Saint Lothaire (Loyer): Lambert (father), Tarcote (wife) and Astolphe (father-in-law).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Military career at the court of the kings of France
- Renunciation of the world after the death of his wife
- Life as an anchorite near Argentan
- Election to the bishopric of Séez
- Return to the hermitage after a long episcopate