Saint of the Day – 21 August – Saint Avitus I of Clermont (c525-c600) Bishop

Saint of the Day – 21 August – Saint Avitus I of Clermont (c525-c600) Bishop of Clermont, France, Miracle-worker. Avitus was the Bishop of the Diocese of Clermont in France in the 6th Century. Also known as – Avit, Avitius, Avito.

Avitus was born around the year 525. He was a scion of the noble Roman Avitii family which was connected to Emperor Avitus who had been the Bishop of Piacenza, Italy.

In 571, Bishop Cautinus of Clermont died from the plague. Avitus was chosen as the new Bishop and in 580, he began the building of the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port in Clermont.

In 576, an event occurred between Avitus and the Jewish community in Clermont which was recorded by his contemporary St Gregory of Tours, who Avitus had himself Ordained, firstly as Deacon, then Priest. According to St Gregory, Avitus had been praying and calling on the Jews in Clermont to convert to Christ. One of the Jews listened to the Bishop and accepted Baptism at Easter. This convert also joined in the Easter procession through the City.

Another Jew then poured stinking oil on this convert’s head from a window above during the procession. The Christians were excessively enraged and wishedto stone this Jew, however, Avitus, of course, forbade such a violent un-Christian action..

Later, on the Feast of the Ascension, when Avitus was leading another procession through the City, a mob of Christians attacked the Jewish Synagogue in Clermont and burned it to the ground. Avitus sent a messenge to the Jews in Clermont, which (according to Gregory’s account) said:
“I do not compel you by force to confess the Son of God but, nevertheless, I preach Him and I offer to your hearts, the salt of wisdom.
I am the shepherd put in charge of the Lord’s sheep and as regards you, the true Shepherd Who suffered for us, said that He had other sheep which are not in His sheepfold but which should be brought in, so that there may be one flock and one Shepherd.
And, therefore, if you are willing to believe as I, be one flock with me as your guardian but if not, depart from this place, for your own safety.”

St Gregory reports that three days after this message was sent, 500 Jews accepted Baptism.

Around 590, Avitus probably called and headed a Council of Eclestics in Clermont. Avitus once visited Menat in central France, where he visted sick children. While he was there, a Spring of water burst forth (the existing Fontaine Saint-Avit) which was able to miraculously cure the sick children and still today is renowned for miraculous cures.

He died around the year 600.