Genesius, Bishop of Clermont

Who was Genesius, Bishop of Clermont?

Saint Genesius is a French saint. He was the twenty-first Bishop of Clermont and his feast day is celebrated on June 3.

The legend, which is of a rather late date, says that he was descended from a senatorial family of Auvergne.

Having received a liberal education he renounced his worldly prospects for the service of the Church, became archdeacon of Clermont under Bishop Proculus, and succeeded him in the episcopacy in 656 despite his protests.

He laboured earnestly for the maintenance of Christian morality, and founded a hospital at Clermont and also the Abbey of Manlieu. After serving as bishop for five years, fearing for his own soul, he left Clermont secretly and went to Rome in the garb of a pilgrim. The bereaved flock sent a deputation to the Holy See. Genesius was found and induced to return.

Genesius then proceeded to build a convent at Chantoin, a church and a hospice. He was buried in the church which he had built at Clermont in honour of St. Symphorian, and which later took his own name. In the life of Praejectus, Genesius is mentioned as one of the protectors of his childhood.