Saint of the Day – 17 June – Saint Fulk (Died 900) Archbishop of Rheims in 883, Chancellor of Frankish Kingdom, protector and defender of the Church’s rights and assets for which position he was murdered on 17 June 900. Some sources name him a Martyr for the Church of Christ. Also known as – Foulques the Venerable, Coots the Venerable … Folco…Foulque…Fulco…Foulques of Reims… Fulko…Fulque…Fulquerio…Venerável…
Fulk was born into a noble Frankish family with close ties to the Carolingian dynasty. His brother, Anscarius I, became the first Marquis of Ivrea, giving rise to the Anscarici dynasty.
Fulk undertook an Ecclesiastical career from a young age, becoming a Palace Cleric at the Court of Charles II the Bald. In 877 his dedication and ability led to his appointment as the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of St Bertinus.
On 7 March 883, Fulk reached the pinnacle of his Ecclesiastical career with his appointment as the Archbishop of Rheims, one of the most prestigious Episcopal Sees of the West Frankish Kingdom. During his tenure, he fervently devoted himself to the restoration of the Diocesan Cathedral, the symbol of his spiritual authority.
In 898, Fulk assumed the role of the Chancellor of the Kingdom, taking a leading role in the political sphere. He became noticeable for his tenacious defence of Ecclesiastical assets from the expansionist aims of the nobles, countering secular interference in the properties of the Church.
Fulk’s strenuous defence of the rights of the Church led him to clash with Baldwin II, the powerful Count of Flanders. According to the chronicler Floardus, the King granted Fulk the Abbey of St Vaast in Arras, previously controlled by Baldwin. This act fuelled tensions between the two, leaders culminating in the assassination of Fulk on 17 June 900 at the hands of men in the service of the Flemish Count.
St Briavel of Gloucestershire St David of Bourges St Dignamerita of Brescia St Diogenes of Rome St Emily de Vialar St Fulk of Rheims (Died 900) Bishop St Gundulphus of Bourges
St Himerius of Amelia St Hypatius of Chalcedon St Molling of Wexford St Montanus of Gaeta St Nectan of Hartland Bl Paul Burali d’Arezzo Bl Peter Gambacorta Bl Philippe Papon St Prior St Rambold of Ratisbon
Martyrs of Apollonia – 7 Saints: A group of Christians who fled to a cave near Apollonia, Macedonia to escape persecution for his faith, but were caught and executed. The names we know are – Basil, Ermia, Felix, Innocent, Isaurus, Jeremias and Peregrinus. They were beheaded at Apollonia, Macedonia.
Martyrs of Aquileia – 4 Saints: Four Christian Martyrs memorialised together. No details about them have survived, not even if they died together – Ciria, Maria, Musca and Valerian. c.100 in Aquileia, Italy.
Martyrs of Chalcedon – 3 Saints: Three well-educated Christian men who were sent as ambassadors from King Baltan of Persia to the court of emperor Julian the Apostate to negotiate peace between the two states, and an end of Julian’s persecutions of Christians. Instead of negotiating, Julian imprisoned them, ordered them to make a sacrifice to pagan idols and when they refused, had them executed. Their names were Manuel, Sabel and Ismael. They were beheaded in 362 in Chalcedon (part of modern Istanbul, Turkey) and their bodies burned and no relics survive.
Martyrs of Fez – 4 Beati: A group of Mercedarians sent to Fez, Morocco to ransom Christians imprisoned and enslaved by Muslims. For being openly Christian they were imprisoned, tortured, mutilated and executed. Martyrs – Egidio, John, Louis and Paul. They were martyred in Fez, Morocco.
Martyrs of Rome – 262 Saints: A group of 262 Christians Martyred in the persecutions of Diocletian. In c303 in Rome, Italy. They were buried on the old Via Salaria in Rome.
Martyrs of Venafro – 3 Saints: Three Christian lay people, two of them imperial Roman soldiers, who were converts to Christianity and were Martyred together in the persecutions of Maximian and Diocletian – Daria, Marcian and Nicander. They were beheaded c.303 in Venafro, Italy. By 313 a basilica had been built over their graves which were re-discovered in 1930. They are patrons of Venafro, Italy.
AnaStpaul 
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