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Gregory of Tours
Gallo-Roman historian and Bishop of Tours
SaintFull write-upDate unknown
Feast: 17 November (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Born
538
verified
Died
17 November 594
verified
Beatified
—
not on record
Canonised
—
not on record
Who they were
Gregory (Georgius Florentius), of a distinguished Gallo-Roman family, was raised by his uncle St Gallus, Bishop of Clermont; a sudden recovery from grave illness turned him to the Church, and he studied the Scriptures.
In 573 he became Bishop of Tours, one of the hardest sees in Gaul, often changing hands between warring kings, and he recorded his people's sufferings. His History of the Franks and lives of the saints are among the great sources of his age. He died at Tours on 17 November 593 or 594.
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 bishop and historian who shepherded his people through years of war.
Connected on this site
- Avit of Clermont Saint Teacher
- Gall of Clermont Saint Relative, Teacher“He was the uncle and teacher of Gregory of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Gregory of Langres Saint Relative
- Magneric Saint Pupil“He was a friend and admirer of Gregory of Tours, mentioned in his History of the Franks, and ordained St Géry, one of his disciples, who became bishop of Cambrai-Arras on the ascent of King Childebert II.” — Wikipedia
- Aphrodisius Saint“According to Gregory of Tours, Aphrodisius was an Egyptian who was martyred in Languedoc along with his followers Caralippus (Caralampus), Agapius, and Eusebius.” — Wikipedia
- Austromoine Saint“St Gregory of Tours numbers him among seven bishops sent from Rome into Gaul; he most likely lived in the early fourth century.” — this site's research
- Avitus of Micy Saint“Gregory of Tours records that Avitus, 'a great priest of that time', tried in vain to save the Burgundian king Sigismund from being put to death by the Frankish king Clodomir in 523.” — this site's research
- Bibianus of Saintes Saint“He is also mentioned by Gregory of Tours later in the 6th century, who refers to the earlier text, saying "a book that has already been written about his life narrates the bulk of his miracles".” — Wikipedia
- Bracchio Saint“Gregory of Tours writes that Bracchio’s name meant “bear’s whelp” in the Germanic language.” — Wikipedia
- Caesaria of Arles Saint“Little is known about her, but there were some "glowing" references to her in the writings of Venantius Fortunatus; according to Gregory of Tours, her life was "blessed and holy".” — Wikipedia
- Calupan Saint“According to Gregory of Tours, who knew him personally, Calupan died on 3 March, probably in 576; the Benedictine Order keeps his feast on that day, though no trace of an active veneration now remains.” — this site's research
- Cassien d'Autun Saint“Gregory of Tours attributes miracles to Cassian.” — Wikipedia
40 more
- Cassius of Clermont Saint“Gregory of Tours mentions a Church of Saint Cassius the Martyr at Clermont.” — Wikipedia
- Cyprian of Genouillac Saint“Cyprian was an abbot at Genouillac near Périgueux, remembered by Gregory of Tours as a man of great holiness who healed weak hands, restored movement to the paralysed, gave sight to the blind, and cured three lepers by anointing; people were still reported to be healed by praying at his tomb.” — this site's research
- Dalmatius of Rodez Saint“Gregory of Tours reports that Dalmatius built a church, but tore it down so often for improvements, that it was left unfinished at his death.” — Wikipedia
- Euphrasius of Clermont Saint“At Clermont-Ferrand in Aquitaine, in France, Saint Euphrasius, bishop, whose hospitality is praised by Saint Gregory of Tours.” — this site's research
- Euphronius Saint“Eufronius or Euphronius was the eighth Bishop of Tours; he served from 555 to 573, and was a near relative of Gregory of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Eutropius of Saintes Saint“Gregory of Tours mentions the tradition of Eutropius' martyrdom in his work, but also notes that before Bishop Palladius of Saintes translated Eutropius' relics around 590 to a church dedicated to him in Saintes, no one really knew the legend of Eutropius.” — Wikipedia
- Floride de Dijon Saint“Her tomb was already known in the time of Saint Gregory of Tours, who described her as a virtuous woman, and in the Carolingian era the bodies of the two women were moved to the crypt of the martyr Benignus, where they still remain.” — this site's research
- Friard d'Indret Saint“According to Gregory of Tours, sometime between 526 and 549, they settled in Besné in the marshes of Brière, where they lived in separate cells.” — Wikipedia
- Gatianus of Tours Saint“St Gregory of Tours is the only source for his life.” — this site's research
- Illidius Saint“Gregory of Tours mentions Illidius in his work.” — Wikipedia
- Lusor Saint“According to Gregory of Tours, Lusor was the son of Leucadius, a noble senator of the Roman province of Lyon who had given Saint Ursinus, first bishop of Bourges, the estates he owned in that region.” — this site's research
- Mars de Royat Saint“Martius, or Mars, was an abbot at Clermont in the Auvergne, known through St Gregory of Tours, whose father had been cured of a fever by him as a boy.” — this site's research
- Martin of Braga Saint“According to his contemporary, the historian Gregory of Tours, Martin was plenus virtutibus ("full of virtue") and in tantum se litteris imbuit ut nulli secundus sui temporis haberetur ("he so instructed himself in learning that he was considered second to none in his lifetime").” — Wikipedia
- Martin of Tours Saint“Gregory is also known for documenting accounts of religious figures, notably that of Martin of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Monegundis Saint“Her biography was written by hagiographer Gregory of Tours, who was acquainted with her personally, in his De Vita Patrum (The Life of the Fathers, 570).” — Wikipedia
- Monulph Saint“Louis Duchesne has suggested that Monulph succeeded Saint Servatius directly (in contradiction with the account of the sixth-century bishop and historian Gregory of Tours).” — Wikipedia
- Nicetius Saint“Considerable detail of the life of this zealous bishop is known from various sources, from letters written either by or to him, from two poems of Venantius Fortunatus and above all from the statements of his pupil Aredius, later Abbot of Limoges, which have been preserved by Gregory of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Palladius of Saintes Saint“According to Gregory of Tours, the family of Palladius was wealthy, and had produced several bishops and teachers throughout the 5th century in Gaul.” — Wikipedia
- Paul of Narbonne Saint“That he was among those priests consecrated at Rome and sent to replant the Christian communities in Gaul was affirmed by Gregory of Tours (Historia Francorum I, 30), who was reading the acta of Saturnin.” — Wikipedia
- Prætextatus Saint“He appears as a prominent character in Gregory of Tours’ Historia Francorum (History of the Franks).” — Wikipedia
- Reticius Saint“Gregory of Tours praised Reticius in his writings.” — Wikipedia
- Saint Martial Saint“St Gregory of Tours says he was one of seven bishops sent from Rome to Gaul about 250, and that he converted the people of Limoges, where his memory has always been venerated.” — this site's research
- Saint Theonistus Saint“This figure is mentioned by Gregory of Tours: "Theomastus was noted for his holiness in accordance with the meaning of his name, and he is said to have been bishop of Mainz.” — Wikipedia
- Saturninus Saint“His ancient Acts, used by St Gregory of Tours, say that the pagan priests blamed the silence of their oracles on his passing their temple.” — this site's research
- Secondel Saint“Their story is told by Gregory of Tours, who valued miracles and wonders above historical precision.” — this site's research
- Senoch Saint“Euphronius, Bishop of Tours, and his successor, Saint Gregory of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Similian of Nantes Saint“At Nantes, likewise in Lugdunensian Gaul, Saint Similian, bishop, whom Saint Gregory of Tours praises as a great confessor.” — this site's research
- Simplicius of Vienne Saint“Gregory of Tours cites a lost letter of Paulinus of Nola (died 431) as having praised Simplicius, considering him "one of the most worthy bishops of his time".” — Wikipedia
- St. Julian of Brioude Saint“Gregory of Tours (the latter best known for his Ten Books of Histories).” — Wikipedia
- Sulpitius I of Bourges Saint“He was, says Gregory of Tours, a man of high birth, one of the first senators of Gaul, of great oratorical talent, and expert in the art of poetical rhythms.” — Wikipedia
- Symphorian Saint“Gregory of Tours tells of a miracle worked through him.” — this site's research
- Tetricus of Langres Saint“According to Gregory of Tours, who was a later relative of Tetricus, the Merovingian king Chilperic I had a dream in which Tetricus, along with Agricola of Chalon-sur-Saône and Nicetius of Lyon appeared to the king.” — Wikipedia
- Theorodus of Marseille Saint“His troubles are recorded by the contemporary historian Gregory of Tours, who depicts him as a saintly albeit powerless figure who was supported by the laity, but opposed by his own clergy.” — Wikipedia
- Trojanus of Saintes Saint“He is mentioned in semi-legendary terms by Gregory of Tours.” — Wikipedia
- Ursicin de Cahors Saint“Gregory of Tours recounts an event as one indicative of the greed of bishops of the era.” — Wikipedia
- Ursinus of Bourges Saint“Gregory of Tours' legendary account associated him with a Nathaniel, friend of Philip the Apostle, that he was present at the Last Supper, and read a lesson there.” — Wikipedia
- Veranus of Cavaillon Saint“Gregory of Tours writes of miracles performed by Veranus, including the expulsion of a dragon.” — Wikipedia
- Verus II Saint“He appears in the list of bishops of Vienne drawn up by Bishop Ado in the second half of the 9th century, which places him as a contemporary of the emperors Tiberius and Maurice, near the time of the Visigothic martyr Hermenegild, who died in 585, and he is also mentioned by Saint Gregory of Tours as a priest of…” — this site's research
- Virgilius of Arles Saint“According to Gregory of Tours, Virgilius was first Abbot of the Abbey of St.” — Wikipedia
- Walfroy Saint“He is known only from the Ten Books of Histories of Gregory of Tours, who recounts how he chose to live as a stylite (that is, atop a pillar) in the diocese of Trier during the episcopate of Magneric (before 587) and the reign of King Childebert II (576–596).” — Wikipedia
Sources
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - St. Gregory of Tours
- Wikidata Q67841 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Gregory of Tours (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.