Anianus of Orléans

St. Anianus as bishop on a stained glass window from the early 16th century in the parish church of Saint-Aignan in Chartres

Anianus of Orléans (also Agnanus ; French Aignan or Agnan ; * in Vienne ; † around 453 in Orléans ) was bishop of Orléans from around 391 until his death . He is a saint of the Catholic Church ; his feast day is November 17th or June 14th (transfer of his bones).

Vita

Anianus or Aignan was born to noble parents. He is said to have lived at first as a hermit near Vienne, but then followed the call of Saint Evurtius to Aurelianum (today's Orléans). There he is said to have been ordained a priest and head of the monastery of St. Laurentius in a suburb of Orléans. In 391 he succeeded Evurtius in the chair of the Bishop of Orléans . When the Huns under Attila advanced to Orléans and besieged the city (451) he is said to have preached trust in God and prayed for heavenly assistance, but also sent for military help from the Romans. When they were finally able to drive out the Huns after a few months under Aëtius and the Visigoths allied with them , this was at least as much ascribed to Aignan.

His death is traditionally scheduled for November 17, 453. He was first buried in the Église Saint-Laurent , but in 1259 under the reign of Louis IX. his bones were transferred to the Saint-Pierre church . During the Huguenot Wars (1562–1598), his relics were burned by the Protestants.

Adoration

The veneration of the saint was revived during the siege of Orléans by the English (1428/9) during the Hundred Years War . Several French places, including Saint-Aignan in the Loir-et-Cher department , are named after the saint; numerous churches in the north of France bear his patronage - such as the church of Saint-Aignan (Chartres) .

presentation

Medieval depictions of Anianus are unknown; Modern statues or glass windows show him in the bishop's robe with miter and crook .

literature

Vita Aniani episcopi Aurelianensis . In: Bruno Krusch (ed.): Scriptores rerum Merovingicarum 3: Passiones vitaeque sanctorum aevi Merovingici et antiquiorum aliquot (I). Hanover 1896, pp. 104–117 ( Monumenta Germaniae Historica , digitized version )

Web links

Commons : Anianus von Orléans - Collection of images, videos and audio files

personal data
SURNAME	Anianus of Orléans
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Saint and Bishop of Orléans
DATE OF BIRTH	4th century
PLACE OF BIRTH	Vienne
DATE OF DEATH	at 453
Place of death	Orleans