Saint Avitus of Rouen | |
Death Date: | 325 |
Feast Day: | December 2 |
Venerated In: | Roman Catholic Church |
Titles: | Bishop |
Canonized Date: | Pre-Congregation |
Major Shrine: | Church of Saint-Gervais |
Avitus of Rouen (died 325), also known as Avitien or Avidien was the third Bishop of Rouen. He is venerated as a Saint in the Catholic Church.
He was the third bishop of Rouen in Normandy, however his two predecessors are accepted as legendary.[1] He is the first historically attested bishop by his presence, with Materne II, Bishop of Cologne, at the first Council of Gaul in Arles in 314.[2] [3] He succeeds Mellonius and settles in Rouen from 314.[4]
The Acta archiepiscoporum Rotomagensium tell us that "This blessed pontiff was an honest spirit, impeccable in his manners, and attentive to the salvation of souls under his charge".[5]
He is buried in the crypt of the Church of Saint-Gervais in Rouen, and his feast day is celebrated on 2 December.