Clar d'Albi

Who they were

Saint Clarus (Chiaro) of Albi, bishop and martyr, lived between the 1st and 2nd centuries, though his story is known only from a legendary Passio not older than the 12th century. According to it, he travelled from Africa to Rome with six companions and was consecrated bishop there by an unnamed pope, then went to preach the Gospel in Aquitaine, settling at Cologne near Albi, where he was elected bishop and preached for nearly three years.

At Lectoure he refused to honour idols and was beheaded for it early in the 2nd century. Several places claim his relics: Albi, Lectoure, Tulle, Bordeaux and Limoges; at Cologne-du-Gers he is invoked against ailments of the eyes. His feast is kept on 1 June, and in some places on 1 July or 5 November.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

Bishop of Albi and martyr, beheaded early in the 2nd century at Lectoure for refusing to honour idols; feast 1 June.