The twenty-ninth Bishop of Clermont, Avitus II succeeded Saint Praejectus in 679. During his ten-year episcopate, he dedicated himself to the ornamentation of holy places, built the monastery of Volvie, and oversaw the training of the clergy. He died in 689, mourned by his faithful, and was buried at Saint-Vénérand before his relics were moved to Saint-Allyre.
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SAINT AVITUS II, 29th BISHOP OF CLERMONT IN AUVERGNE (689).
Episcopate and architectural works
Elected bishop in 679, Saint Avitus II continued the work of his predecessor by building churches and monasteries in Auvergne.
This holy prelate, who belonged to the illustrious family of the Aviti, was raised to the epis copate after Saint Prix saint Prix (ou Project) Predecessor of Saint Avitus II and martyr in Auvergne. (or Projectus), in the year 679. His learning equaled his virtues. His first and principal care was to adorn the places consecrated to God. His predecessor had had the great and beautiful thought of building a church in honor Auvergne Region of origin of Saint Perpet. of each martyr of Auvergne, and had begun its realization: Avitus continued it. He had b uilt, among others, monastère de Volvie Religious establishment founded by Avitus II to honor Saint Prix. the monastery of Volvie to honor the tomb of Saint Prix and his fellow martyrs, Saint Amarin and Saint Allyon. He also transferred ther e the relics of Sa saint Austremoline First bishop of Clermont whose relics were transferred by Avitus II. int Austremonius after the ruin of the monastery of Sa Saint-Pierre-d'Issoire Ruined monastery from which the relics of Saint Austremoine originated. int-Pierre-d'Issoire. He worked with great zeal to form a good clergy, and to sow the grain of faith throughout the extent of his diocese. The faithful shed all the tears from their eyes when they saw that the holy bishop would only leave his bed to take the path to the tomb. He rendered his soul to God, rich in good works and worthy of a thousand crowns after ten years of a laborious episcopate. 689. He was buried in the church of Saint-Vénérand église de Saint-Vénérand Site of the first burial of Saint Avitus II. , next to 6,286 holy bodies whose souls had departed from this world to go straight to heaven. Some time later, his relics were transferred to the church of Saint-Allyre.
Death and posterity
After ten years of episcopate, he died in 689 and was buried at Saint-Vénérand before the transfer of his relics to Saint-Allyre.
Nowadays, the di ocese of Clermont s diocèse de Clermont Episcopal see of Saint Gal. till celebrates his feast under the double rite, on February 21.
Cult and liturgy
The diocese of Clermont continues to celebrate his feast on February 21 under the double rite.
Cf. J. Branche J. Branche Hagiographer and author of the Lives of the Saints of Auvergne. , vol. I, p. 153 ; Greg. of Tou Grég. de Tours Bishop and historian who mentions the martyrdom of Antolian. rs, and Proper of Clermont, 1866.
Documentary sources
The information is based on the works of J. Branche, Gregory of Tours, and the Proper of Clermont.
Cf. J. Branche, vol. I, p. 153; Greg. of Tours, and Proper of Clermont, 1866.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Elevation to the episcopate in 679
- Construction of the monastery of Volvie
- Translation of the relics of Saint Austremonius
- Ten years of episcopate
- Died in 689