Apollinaris of Valence

Who was Apollinaris of Valence?

Saint Apollinaris of Valence, born in Vienne, France, was bishop of Valence, France, at the time of the irruption of the barbarians. Valence, which was the central see of the recently founded Kingdom of Burgundy, had been scandalized by the dissolute Bishop Maximus, and the see in consequence had been vacant for fifty years.

Apollinaris was of a family of nobles and saints. He was little over twenty when he was ordained a priest. In 486, when he was thirty-three years old, he was made Bishop of the long vacant See of Valence, and under his care it soon recovered its ancient glory. Abuses were corrected and morals reformed. Bishop Apollinaris was so beloved that the news of his first illness filled the city with consternation. His return to health was considered miraculous. He attended a conference at Lyon, between the Arians and Catholics, held in presence of King Gondebaud. He distinguished himself there by his eloquence and learning.

A contestation in defence of marriage brought Apollinaris again into special prominence. Stephen, the treasurer of the kingdom, was living in incest. The four bishops of the province commanded him to separate from his companion, but he appealed to the King, who sustained his official and exiled the four bishops to Sardinia. As they refused to yield, the King relented, and after some time permitted them to return to their Sees, with the exception of Apollinaris, who had rendered himself particularly obnoxious, and was kept a close prisoner for a year. At last the King, stricken with a severe illness, repented, and the Queen in person came to beg Apollinaris to go to the court to restore the monarch to health. On his refusal, the Queen asked for his cloak to place on the sufferer. The request was granted, the King was cured, and came to beg absolution for his sin. Apollinaris was sixty-four years old when he returned from Sardinia to Valence, and his people received him with every demonstration of joy. He died after an episcopate of thirty-four years, at the age of sixty-seven, his life ending, as it had begun, in the constant exercise of the most exalted holiness.