Eleutherius of Tournai

Who was Eleutherius of Tournai?

Saint Eleutherius of Tournai is venerated as a saint and considered the first bishop of Tournai. The Catholic Encyclopedia writes that "historically there is very little known about St. Eleutherius, but he was without doubt the first Bishop of Tournai."

Tradition makes him a lifelong friend of St. Medardus, and the two saints had been courtiers before becoming bishops.

Eleutherius was probably named bishop of Tournai after St. Remigius organized the church hierarchy of northern Gaul at the end of the fifth century.

Some sermons on the Trinity, Nativity, and the feast of the Annunciation are falsely attributed to him.