Ado of Vienne facts for kids

Ado of Vienne (Latin: Ado Viennensis, French: Adon de Vienne) was an important church leader, known as an archbishop, in a place called Vienne in Lotharingia. He served from 850 until he passed away on December 16, 874. Today, he is honored as a saint. Ado came from a well-known Frankish family and spent a lot of his younger years in Italy. We still have some of his letters, which show he was a very active person who cared about many things and had a lot of influence. Ado's main writings include a book about martyrs, called a martyrology, and a history book, or chronicle, which covered events from the beginning of the world up to the year 869.

Ado's Early Life and Education

Ado was born into a noble family. When he was a child, he was sent away for his education. First, he studied with Sigulfe, who was the abbot (leader) of Ferrières Abbey. Later, he went to study with Marcward, the abbot of Prüm Abbey near Trier.

After Marcward died in 853, Ado traveled to Rome, where he stayed for almost five years. Then, he moved to Ravenna. After that, Remy, the archbishop of Lyon, gave him a church to lead in Saint-Romain, which was close to Vienne.

Becoming an Archbishop

The very next year, Ado was chosen to be the archbishop of Vienne. He officially started his role in August or September of 860. This happened even though some powerful people, like Girart de Roussillon, who was the Count of Paris, and his wife Berthe, were against it.

Ado's Time as Archbishop

As an archbishop, Ado took part in important church meetings. He attended the Council of Tousy, near Toul in Lorraine, on October 22, 860. He also led his own church meeting, or council, in Vienne in 870.

Ado passed away on December 16, 876. His body was buried in the Church of the Apostles in Vienne. This church is now known as St. Peter's Church. It was a common burial place for the archbishops of Vienne. People celebrate his feast day every year on December 16.

Ado's Writings and Books

Ado wrote several important books. His main history book, or chronicle, was based on an earlier work by Bede. Ado added parts from other common sources, creating a continuous story. He saw history as a single, ongoing story of the Roman Empire, tracing it through the different emperors. He believed that Charlemagne and his heirs followed directly after emperors like Constantine VI and Irene.

A scholar named Wilhelm Wattenbach said that Ado's history was written "from the point of view of authority and preconceived opinion." This means Ado wrote based on what he believed was right and what was officially accepted, rather than giving his own independent thoughts on events.

Other Works by Ado

Ado also wrote other books:

• A book about the miracles of Saint Bernard, who was also an archbishop of Vienne in the 9th century. This book was published in a collection called the Acta Sanctorum.
• A story about the life and death of Saint Desiderius, who was a bishop of Vienne and died in 608.
• A life story of Saint Theuderius of Vienne, also known as Theudericus of the Dauphinê. He was an abbot (leader of a monastery) at Saint-Chef near Vienne and died in 563.