Germanus of Auxerre
5th century Bishop of Auxerre and saint
Feast: 31 July (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Germanus, of one of the noblest families of Gaul, studied law in Rome, married, and became one of the six dukes governing Gaul, enjoying all the pleasures of his rank. When Bishop Amator cut down the tree where he hung his hunting trophies, he wanted to kill him, but came to accept God's will.
He gave himself to prayer, study and charity, and on Amator's death was chosen Bishop of Auxerre in 418. He died at Ravenna on 31 July, while seeking pardon for his people, and was buried at Auxerre.
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
A worldly governor who became a holy bishop.
Connected on this site
- Amator of Auxerre Saint Teacher
- Faustus of Riez Saint Pupil
- Illtud Saint Pupil
- Michomer Saint Pupil“He was converted by Saint Germanus of Auxerre, whose reputation for holiness reached even Ireland, and became his devoted disciple and confessor.” — this site's research
- Saint Patrick Saint Pupil“Ordained priest by St Germanus of Auxerre, he was opposed at first as a bishop because of his irregular studies, but finally returned to Ireland as bishop and evangelised it, fixing his see at Armagh.” — this site's research
- Alode d'Auxerre Saint“According to the Gesta pontificum Autissiodorensium, he had led the monastery founded by Saint Germanus of Auxerre during Germanus's lifetime, and was chosen to succeed him as bishop after Germanus's death in 448.” — this site's research
- Celestine I Saint“He supported the mission of the Gallic bishops that sent Germanus of Auxerre in 429, to Britain to address Pelagianism, and later commissioned Palladius as bishop to the Scots of Ireland and northern Britain.” — Wikipedia
- Genevieve of Paris Saint“Recognized for her religious devotion at a young age, she met Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus of Troyes when she was a child and dedicated herself to a virginal life.” — Wikipedia
- Germanus of Man Saint“There is some historical confusion with Saint Germanus of Auxerre, feast 31 July.” — Wikipedia
- Germanus of Normandy Saint“He was a disciple of Germanus of Auxerre, from whom he took his baptismal name.” — Wikipedia
- Lupus of Troyes Saint“Constantius was a friend of Bishop Lupus of Troyes, who accompanied Germanus to Britain.” — Wikipedia
- Magnentia Saint“Heiric recounts that Saint Germanus of Auxerre died at the imperial court in Ravenna in 448, and that his body was carried back to Gaul accompanied by five virgins, probably Italian, who had become his disciples: Magnentia, Palladia, Camilla, Portia and Maxima.” — this site's research
5 more
- Mamertinus of Auxerre Saint“He was converted by Germanus of Auxerre and became a monk at the Abbey of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Auxerre (later rededicated to Saint Marianus of Auxerre).” — Wikipedia
- Palladius Saint“Germanus of Auxerre to root out the Pelagian heresy in Britain, and that in 431 Palladius was consecrated and sent 'to the Irish believing in Christ' as their first bishop.” — this site's research
- Patiens of Lyon Saint“It was Bishop Patiens who commissioned Constantius of Lyon to write the Vita Germani (Life of Germanus), a hagiography of Germanus of Auxerre.” — Wikipedia
- Prix de Saints Saint“St Germanus of Auxerre found their bodies in the fifth century and built two churches in their honour, and their veneration spread widely.” — this site's research
- Severus of Trier Saint“At Trier in Gallia Belgica, in present-day Germany, Saint Severus, bishop, who, a disciple of Saint Lupus of Troyes, was a companion of Saint Germanus of Auxerre in the struggle against the Pelagian heresy in Britain and preached the Gospel of Christ among the Germans.” — this site's research
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - St. Germain of Auxerre
- Wikidata Q442516 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Germanus of Auxerre (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.