Saint Odolric
Formerly archdeacon of Langres, Odolric was appointed Archbishop of Lyon in 1041 by Emperor Henry III on the advice of Halinard. His five-year episcopate brought peace to the province after long troubles. He died poisoned in 1046 by enemies jealous of his zeal.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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SAINT ODOLRIC, CANON AND ARCHDEACON OF LANGRES, ARCHBISHOP OF LYON (1046).
Context and nomination
After a long vacancy of the see of Lyon, Emperor Henry III chose Odolric, archdeacon of Langres, upon the recommendation of Abbot Halinard.
Henry III , Emperor of Germany and King of Burgundy, weary of the troubles that had devastated the Church of Lyon during the time of Burchard II, archbishop of that city, and which continued during the long years of the vacancy of this see, designated to fill it Halinard, abbot of Saint-Bénigne of Dijon, whom he had formerly known particularly well and whose piety and religious conduct had won his sympathies. The latter declined the burden that one wished to impose upon him and which, in fact, was too heavy for the shoulders of a monk. He persuaded the prince to shift his choice to Odo lric, a cleric and archdea con of Langres, as advanced in age as in holiness, very learned in sacred letters, and who was then in the king's palace, but entirely unknown and forgotten.
Episcopacy and martyrdom
Appointed in 1041, Odolric brought peace to Lyon before being assassinated by poisoning in 1046 by jealous enemies.
Upon the report made to him at Besançon and at the request of both the bishops and the faithful, the king appointed Odolric to the archbishopric in 1041, after having him invested with the pontifical insignia. Tranquility was immediately restored to the province, and everyone showed themselves satisfied with a peace so long awaited. Odolric governed the Church of Lyon for five years, and edified his flock by his words, by his works, and by his example. His zeal created enemies who meditated on killing him by the sword, then resolved to get rid of him by poison. They accomplished their execrable design in 1046, and subsequen tly, Hal inard, the devoted friend of Odolric, was obliged to succeed him.
Hagiographic sources
The sources mentioned include Fisquet's France pontificale and the chronicles of Saint-Bénigne and Hugh of Flavigny.
La France pontificale, by Fisquet; Vies des Saints de la Haute-Morne, by Abbé Godard. — Cf. Chronicle of Saint-Bénigne of Dijon and Chronicle of Hugh of Flavigny.
Iconography
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Narrative network
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Frequently asked questions about Saint Odolric
Who was Saint Odolric?
Formerly archdeacon of Langres, Odolric was appointed Archbishop of Lyon in 1041 by Emperor Henry III on the advice of Halinard. His five-year episcopate brought peace to the province after long troubles. He died poisoned in 1046 by enemies jealous of his zeal.
How is Saint Odolric depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Odolric is recognizable by: pontifical insignia.
How did Saint Odolric die?
Saint Odolric suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (11th century).
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Odolric?
Contemporaries include: Saint Bernard of Menthon (Apostle of the Alps), Saint Stephen of Hungary, Saint Norbert of Magdeburg and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Cleric and archdeacon of Langres
- Presence at the palace of King Henry III
- Appointment to the Archbishopric of Lyon in 1041
- Governance of the Church of Lyon for five years
- Died by poisoning in 1046