Praetextatus of Rouen
Also known as Prix
Died February 25, 586.
Feast day 24 February
Saint Prix was chosen archbishop of Rouen in 549, and in 557 he assisted at the third council of Paris, which was held to abolish incestuous marriages and remove other abuses. He also attended the second council of Tours in 566.
King Clotaire I, divided his kingdom among his four sons Chilperic's share was that of Soissons, France. He married Galsvinda, but after her death married his mistress, Fredegonda, who was strongly suspected of poisoning her predecessor. Fredegonda then arranged the assassination of Chilperic's brother King Sigebert in 575, Saint Prix incurred the wrath of Fredegonda by zealously reproving her injustices and cruelties.
Chilperic threw Brunhilda /Brunehault, sister of his poisoned wife and wife of Sigebert, into prison at Rouen. She appealed for help to Meroveus, Chilperic's son by his first wife. Meroveus dreaded the wrath Fredegonda and was unwilling to plead her cause with his father. But he fell in love with his aunt and wanted to marry her.
In the events that followed, Saint Prix was induced to witness the marriage of Brunhilda and her blood nephew and Saint Prix' godson to prevent further scandal, and was accused of high treason by Chilperic for doing this and for supposedly fomenting a rebellion by giving aid to the prince. His actions were strongly defended by Saint Gregory of Tours before a council at Paris in 577. Prix was condemned by the council and banished to a small island near Coutances.
His sufferings there further sanctified his soul by penance and the exercise of all heroic Christian virtues. Slander by his enemies cost him many friends, but Saint Gregory remained a staunch ally.
Fredegonda arranged the assassination of her stepsons Meroveus and Clovis, and was suspected of contriving her husband's death also to clear the way to the throne for her own son, Clotaire II. After a six-year exile, Prix was restored to his see by King Gontran of Orléans after the death of Chilperic.
In 585, Saint Prix participated in the framing of canons at the council of Mâcon. He continued his pastoral labors and, in vain, often endeavored to bring Queen Fredegonda, who resided in Rouen, to repentance. Fredegonda grew increasingly more wicked. In 586, she said to him, "The time is coming when you shall revisit the place of your exile." Saint Prix responded, "I was bishop always, whether in exile or out of exile, and a bishop I shall remain; but you will not always enjoy your crown."
By her order, Saint Prix was assassinated stabbed under his armpit while praying Matins in his church in the midst of his clergy on Sunday, February 25, or according to other sources on Easter Sunday (April 14)
Also known as Prix
Died February 25, 586.
Feast day 24 February
Saint Prix was chosen archbishop of Rouen in 549, and in 557 he assisted at the third council of Paris, which was held to abolish incestuous marriages and remove other abuses. He also attended the second council of Tours in 566.
King Clotaire I, divided his kingdom among his four sons Chilperic's share was that of Soissons, France. He married Galsvinda, but after her death married his mistress, Fredegonda, who was strongly suspected of poisoning her predecessor. Fredegonda then arranged the assassination of Chilperic's brother King Sigebert in 575, Saint Prix incurred the wrath of Fredegonda by zealously reproving her injustices and cruelties.
Chilperic threw Brunhilda /Brunehault, sister of his poisoned wife and wife of Sigebert, into prison at Rouen. She appealed for help to Meroveus, Chilperic's son by his first wife. Meroveus dreaded the wrath Fredegonda and was unwilling to plead her cause with his father. But he fell in love with his aunt and wanted to marry her.
In the events that followed, Saint Prix was induced to witness the marriage of Brunhilda and her blood nephew and Saint Prix' godson to prevent further scandal, and was accused of high treason by Chilperic for doing this and for supposedly fomenting a rebellion by giving aid to the prince. His actions were strongly defended by Saint Gregory of Tours before a council at Paris in 577. Prix was condemned by the council and banished to a small island near Coutances.
His sufferings there further sanctified his soul by penance and the exercise of all heroic Christian virtues. Slander by his enemies cost him many friends, but Saint Gregory remained a staunch ally.
Fredegonda arranged the assassination of her stepsons Meroveus and Clovis, and was suspected of contriving her husband's death also to clear the way to the throne for her own son, Clotaire II. After a six-year exile, Prix was restored to his see by King Gontran of Orléans after the death of Chilperic.
In 585, Saint Prix participated in the framing of canons at the council of Mâcon. He continued his pastoral labors and, in vain, often endeavored to bring Queen Fredegonda, who resided in Rouen, to repentance. Fredegonda grew increasingly more wicked. In 586, she said to him, "The time is coming when you shall revisit the place of your exile." Saint Prix responded, "I was bishop always, whether in exile or out of exile, and a bishop I shall remain; but you will not always enjoy your crown."
By her order, Saint Prix was assassinated stabbed under his armpit while praying Matins in his church in the midst of his clergy on Sunday, February 25, or according to other sources on Easter Sunday (April 14)
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