Saint of the Day – 8 December – Saint Eucharius of Trier (Died 3rd Century) the First Bishop of Trier, Germany, Date and place of birth are unknown but Eucharius is believed to have been of Italian origin. Patronages – against plague and epidemics, of Trier, Germany. Also known as Eucherius, Euchario. Additional Memorial in Limburg, Germany of the 3 Bishops sent by St Peter, occurs on 11 September. –
The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Treves, St Eucharius, disciple of the blessed Apostle Peter and the first Bishop of that City.”
Saint Eucharius is the First Bishop of Trier. This name opens the list of Bishops of the oldest See in Germany. The shepherds of that Diocese have been documented since the first half of the 3rd Century.
The first Bishops, St Eucherius and St Valerius are attested by an ancient inscription from the end of the 5th Century, while the first historically documented Bishops are St Maternius who became the Archbishop of Cologne and St Agrizius mentioned in 314, who participated in the Council of Arles.
The Holy Tunic is preserved in the Trier Cathedral which was worn by Jesus before His Crucifixion. The Tunic was discovered by Saint Helena and was donated by Bishop Agrizius. The first mention of the Sacred Relic dates to 1196, when Archbishop John Consecrated the Altar where it was kept.
We know very little about our Saint today but it is assumed that he governed the Diocese at the end of the 3rd Century especially because, Saint Eucharius was a disciple of Saint Peter, who sent him with Valerius and Maternus to evangelise Gaul.
It is said that the Bishop resurrected his companion Maternus from his sarcophagus, using the “pastoral staff of Saint Peter.” To confirm the existence of this legend, there is an ancient seal from Trier which shows the Saint receiving the keys to the City from Saint Peter. Another tradition about St Eucharius of Trier tells us that he destroyed a statue of Venus and placed the current Cross in its place which remains to this day.
The cult of this holy Bishop has been proven since 455 and is widespread in western Germany, Switzerland and many other surrounding regions. An image of him is found carved in relief in the Porta Nuova in Trier, where we see him holding the model of the City placed under his protection.
Furthermore, there is a 16th Century Statue of him in Balg and a painting preserved in the Unterlinden Museum in Coilmar. In 457, Saint Cyril, the Thirteenth Bishop of Trier, had two Sarcophagi built, one for Saint Valerius and the other for Saint Eucharius. The Sarcophagi are located in the Benedictine Abbey of St Matthias in Trier which had originally been named for him until some Relics of St Matthias were obtained there.
The first Martyrologies which bear his name, are those of Rabano Mauro (856) and Notkero (912).
There are various celebrations in memory of the Bishop. In Limburg the feast of the Bishops Eucharius, Valerius and Maternus occurs on 11 September. In the Roman Martyrology his Feast day was set on 8 December.
AnaStpaul 