Richarius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Richarius |
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Modern stained-glass image of Ricarius in Saint-Riquier Church, Sorrus, Pas-de-Calais
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| Monastic founder and hermit | |
| Born | c. 560 Ponthieu, France |
| Died | April 26, 645 (aged 84–85) Crécy, France |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church;Orthodox Church |
| Feast | April 26 |
Richarius (also known as Riquier) was a Frankish man who lived a long time ago, from about 560 to 645 AD. He started out as a pagan but later became a Christian priest. He is remembered as a hermit (someone who lives alone for religious reasons) and a monk. Richarius founded two monasteries, which are places where monks live and pray. Today, he is honored as a saint in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
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The Life of Saint Richarius
We know about Richarius's life from old writings. Some of these stories were updated by a famous scholar named Alcuin around the year 800.
Early Life and Conversion
Richarius was born around 560 AD in a place called Ponthieu, near Amiens in what is now France. At that time, he was not a Christian. One day, he welcomed two Christian missionaries from Wales into his home. These missionaries, named Caidocus and Frechorius, were not liked by the local people.
Because Richarius was kind to them, he learned about Christianity. He decided to become a Christian himself. After his conversion, he lived a very simple life. He ate only barley bread mixed with ashes and drank only water. He became a priest and traveled to England. There, he preached the Christian message and helped sick people. He rode a donkey instead of a horse and often read from the psalter (a book of psalms) as he traveled.
Founding Monasteries
Around 638 AD, after spending some years in England, Richarius returned home. He founded a monastery in his hometown in Ponthieu. This monastery was first called Centule. A town grew up around this monastery, and it was also named Centule. Later, the town and monastery were renamed Saint-Riquier in his honor.
The monastery followed the rules of Saint Columbanus, another famous monk. Even the king of the Franks, Dagobert I, visited Richarius's monastery. Richarius spoke honestly to the king, giving him good advice without fear. Because of this, the king became a supporter of the monastery. Many other people also gave money to Richarius. He used these gifts to help people who were sick with leprosy, to feed the poor, and to free prisoners.
Later, Richarius started a second monastery called Forest-Montier. He also built a small shelter in the forest of Crécy-en-Ponthieu, about fifteen miles from his first monastery. He lived there as a hermit with one of his students, Sigobart. Richarius passed away on April 26, 645 AD.
How Richarius is Remembered
After Richarius died, his body was placed in a wooden coffin. Later, his remains were moved to the abbey he founded in Centule. About 150 years later, the famous King Charlemagne had a special golden container made for Richarius's relics. He also ordered a special book, the St. Riquier Gospels, to be made for the shrine.
Over the years, Richarius's relics were moved a few times for safety. But in 980 AD, they were brought back to the abbey in Saint-Riquier. The abbey and the town were named after him to honor his memory.
Besides Saint-Riquier, two other villages in France are named after him: Saint-Riquier-en-Rivière and Saint-Riquier-ès-Plains. People remember Saint Richarius on April 26, which is his feast day in the Roman Catholic Church. There is also another feast day on October 9, which celebrates when his relics were moved.
