ON ST. AGATUMBRUS
BISHOP OF METZ.
ABOUT THE YEAR DXXX
CommentaryAgatumbrus Bishop of Metz (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
The ancient Martyrology of the Church of Metz, cited by Meurisse in the History of the Bishops of Metz, sets forth two Bishops on the XI of May in these words: At Metz of the holy Confessors and likewise Pontiffs Ruffus and Agatumbrus. Memory in the Martyrologies Both are also recorded by Grevenus in the Auctarium of Usuard printed in the year XV and XXI of the preceding century, and by Canisius in the German Martyrology. But St. Ruffus is venerated chiefly on the VII of November, inscribed also in the Roman Martyrology. Hence Ferrarius in the General Catalogue at this XI of May has only this: At Metz of S. Agathymberus, Bishop of the same city: to which day the Sammarthani assign also his death. By Paul Warnefrid in the Bishops of Metz he is called Agathander. Saussay adorns both with a greater eulogy: At Metz, he says, of the holy Confessors and likewise Pontiffs Ruffus and Agatimbrus. Of whom the former, eulogy from Saussay, the ninth, the latter the twenty-second in the series of Bishops sitting, although disparate in time, yet equal as in dignity so in merits, governed that Church with great glory of religion. Then, the eulogy of Ruffus being related, the same Saussay continues these things about Agatimbrus.
[2] But truly Agatimbrus, a Greek by nation, when for piety's sake he had passed over into Italy; thence, Theodoric the Visigoth King the Arian harassing the worshippers of the orthodox faith, driven into Gaul, withdrew to Metz, and under the protection of Gramacius the Prelate, his fellow countryman, he produced eminent splendors both of piety and of preeminent doctrine. Therefore, Gramacius being dead, by the votes of all chosen into his place, he showed himself a man of Apostolic virtue by glorious deeds, with which he adorned the Chair, and directed his flock: and at length, the Episcopal office being fulfilled in all sanctity, deceased by a blessed end, with S. Ruffus himself he was buried in the crypt of S. Clement. Whence, brought forth with him to veneration, he obtained a common celebration of merits. Time of his death. Thus Saussay. Some of which, especially concerning his coming on account of the persecution of Theodoric, Meurisse also relates: who assigns the death of this Saint to the year of Christ DXXXI. The aforesaid S. Clement was the first Bishop of Metz, and is venerated on the XXIII of November.