Aunarius

Who was Aunarius?

Saint Aunarius was bishop of Auxerre during the 6th century.

Being of noble birth, he was brought up in the royal court of Guntram, but wanted to become a priest, and was ordained by Saint Syagrius of Autun, and eventually was made Bishop of Auxerre.

His administration is noted for certain important disciplinary measures that throw light on the religious and moral life of the Merovingian times. He caused solemn litanies to be said daily in the chief centers of population, by rotation, and on the first day of each month in the larger towns and monasteries.

He enforced a regular daily attendance at the Divine Office on the part both of regular and secular clergy. He held an important synod of four bishops, seven abbots, thirty-five priests, and four deacons for the restoration of ecclesiastical discipline and the suppression of popular pagan superstitions, and caused the lives of his predecessors Amator and Germanus to be written.