Avitus of Vienne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus of Vienne
Statue in Saint-Avit dans la Drôme, in France
Born	c. 450
Died	After 517 and before 519
Venerated in	Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast	February 5

Alcimus Ecdicius Avitus (born around 450 – died between 517 and 519) was an important writer and bishop in a region of Gaul (which is now France). He was known for his poems and for helping the kings of the Burgundians.

Avitus came from a well-known family in Gallo-Roman society. This family was even connected to an emperor named Avitus.

Life of Avitus

Avitus's father, Hesychius, was also a bishop in Vienne. It was common for important church roles to stay within families back then. His younger brother, Apollinaris of Valence, also became a bishop. His sister, Fuscina, became a nun.

Avitus was likely born in Vienne. He became a bishop there around the year 490. In 499, the city of Vienne was taken by Gundobad, who was the king of the Burgundians.

Working with Kings

Avitus became important to King Gundobad. He even helped lead a meeting between Catholic and Arian bishops. Arianism was a different type of Christianity at the time. Avitus managed to convince King Gundobad's son, Sigismund, to become Catholic.

Later, Pope Hormisdas made Avitus a special representative in Gaul. In this role, Avitus led a church meeting in 517. This meeting aimed to improve church rules in the area. Avitus also worked to end a disagreement between the churches in Rome and Constantinople.

Avitus passed away and was buried in a monastery in Vienne.

Avitus's Writings

Avitus is famous for the many letters he wrote. He also wrote a long poem called Poematum de Mosaicae historiae gestis. This poem was written in a classical style.

His Famous Poem

The poem has five parts. It tells stories from the Bible, like the story of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Paradise. It also covers the Great Flood and the Crossing of the Red Sea. The first three parts focus on the start of these big events, the events themselves, and what happened afterward. The last two parts talk about the Great Flood and the Red Sea crossing as symbols of baptism.

Avitus wrote about these Bible stories in a clear and beautiful way. He was very skilled at writing, like many people from Gaul in his time. Some people believe that the famous English poet Milton used Avitus's poem when he wrote Paradise Lost. Avitus also wrote a poem for his sister Fuscina, who was a nun.

A seal of Bishop Avit

Important Letters

Avitus's letters are very important for understanding the history of the church and politics between 499 and 518. He strongly believed that the Pope's authority was key to keeping Christian unity. He wrote that if the Pope was doubted, the entire church leadership would be in trouble.

His letters also give us important information about the early Merovingian period. This was a time when new kingdoms were forming in Europe. One famous letter was written to Clovis, the king of the Franks, when he was baptized. Avitus's letters show the close relationship between the Catholic bishop of Vienne and the Arian King Gundobad. They also show his connection with Gundobad's son, Sigismund, who became Catholic.

Avitus also wrote sermons, but most of them have been lost over time.