Saint Siffredus | |
|---|---|
 Venasque - St Siffrein | |
| Bishop | |
| Died | 7th century Venasque |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 27 November |
| Patronage | Carpentras, France |
Saint Siffredus of Carpentras (French: Siffrein) was a bishop of Carpentras who is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.[1]
Siffredus was a monk in Lérins Abbey before becoming bishop of Carpentras at the beginning of the seventh century.[1] Not much is known of his life and Siffredus does not appear to have participated in any church council.[1] However, during his episcopate, he ordered the construction of many churches in Carpentras and in Venasque.[1]
Religious and popular tradition holds that Siffredus led an austere life and was zealous in his pastoral duties, caring for the poor and exorcising demons.[1]
Veneration
The traditional date of his death, 27 November, was fixed as his feast day as early as the eleventh century, when his name appears in local martyrologies.[1] Siffredus’ body was translated sometime before the thirteenth century from Venasque to Carpentras.[1] His relics were saved from destruction during the French Revolution by a priest in 1793, and are still preserved in Carpentras Cathedral, which is dedicated to him.[1]
Further reading
- Reyne, André, 1983: Saint Siffrein: évêque et patron de Carpentras. Avignon: Aubanel