Saint of the Day – 31 December – Saint Marius Aventicus (c 530-594) Bishop of Avenches in Switzerland, a Chronicler (or Historian), Scholar and a skilled Goldsmith, in fact he crafted all the Sacred Vessels for his See. Born in c 530 in the Diocese of Autun, Burgundy (in modern France) and died on 31 December 594 at Lausanne, Switzerland of natural causes. Also known as – Marius Aventicensis, Marco.
Maurius is extolled as an ideal Bishop; as a skilled Goldsmith who made the Sacred Vessels with his own hands; as a protector and benefactor of the poor; as a man of prayer and as a scholar full of enthusiasm for serious intellectual studies. He is also remembered for the Chronicle he compiled of the historical dates and events of the time.
Of the events of his life, little is known. From an inscription on his tomb in the Church of St Thyrsius in Lausanne , we learn that he came of a distinguished, rich and probably Roman family and, at an early age embraced the Ecclesiastical state.
In 574 he was Consecrated as the Bishop of Avenches, took part in the Council of Mâcon in 585 and shortly thereafter, transferred his Episcopal See from Avenches, which was rapidly declining, to Lausanne.
In 587 he Consecrated St Mary’s Church at Payerne, which had been built at his expense and through his efforts.
After his death he was venerated in the Diocese of Lausanne as a Saint and his Feast was celebrated there on 9 or 12 February. The Church of St Thyrsius received, at an early date the name of St Marius.
A chronicle of his is still preserved and purports to be a continuation of the chronicle of Prosper Tiro, or rather of the “Chronicon Imperiale.” It extends from 455 to 581 and, although consisting only of dry, annalistic notes, it is valuable for Burgundian and Franconian history, especially for the second half of the sixth Century. This explains the fact that, notwithstanding its brevity, it has been frequently published.
St Marius was Canonised by Pope Leo XI in 1605.
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