ON ST. SIMPLIDES, BISHOP OF VIENNE IN GAUL.
AT THE END OF THE THIRD CENTURY
CommentarySimplides, Bishop of Vienne in Gaul (St.)
I. B.
[1] The eleventh Bishop of the Church of Vienne in Gaul is recorded as St. Simplides, in the Antiquities of Vienne published by Joannes Boscius, and in Joannes Lieuraeus, and Joannes Chenu in his earlier catalogue of the Bishops of Vienne. For in the later one, which he acknowledges having received from Peter Villarius the Archbishop, St. Simplides, Bishop of Vienne he omits Desiderius and places St. Simplides tenth, as do also Demochares and Claudius Robertus.
[2] His feast day is thus recorded on the third day before the Ides of February by Ado, Archbishop of the same See, feast day and by the Venerable Bede as commonly received: At Vienne, St. Simplides, Bishop and Confessor. Other manuscript and printed Martyrologies agree: but in some he is called Simplicides; in Galesinius and Ferrarius, Simplidius; in others, Simplidas. In the manuscript Florarium under the ninth of February, St. Simplicides is recorded as Bishop of Lyon: but no one of that name held that cathedral; so that we believe this to be our subject.
[3] His Acts appear to have been unknown even in the age of Ado. Demochares says only that he flourished in the times of Carus. Saussaius has somewhat more: his age Likewise at Vienne of the Allobroges, St. Simplides, Bishop, who, occupying the see during the times of the Emperors Tacitus, Probus, and Carus, endured and repressed the most atrocious upheavals of an impiety raging against the folds of Christ, and emerging victorious with a crown from the arena of martyrdom, has henceforth obtained the immortal glory of a sanctity stained with purple. the crown of martyrdom Lieuraeus also, a Canon of Vienne, makes him a Martyr, and relates that his commemoration is observed on this day by the Church of Vienne. Ado recognized him only as a Confessor.
[4] Lieuraeus adds that he completed the basilica of St. Peter which his predecessor St. Lupicinus had begun, his works as it is now seen, although it has been damaged and subsequently restored several times.