Similien of Nantes
Similien, or Similianus, was a 4th century, French Bishop and Saint.
St. Similien, lived in the early fourth century and was third bishop of Nantes, whom according to St. Gregory of Tours was gives the title of grand confessor. He is recorded converting to Christianity one Donatien who in turn brought to the Christian faith Rogatien his brother."[1][2]
Life
During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian (284-305), the believers had begged him with his clergy to leave the city. In an old book on Breton saints is summarized as follows:
"This worthy prelate continued during the cruel persecutions of Diocletian and Maximian unyielding and steadfast, and wisely led the ship that was entrusted to him. To protect his flock withstood this good shepherd repeated the rage of the wolves. They had bitten him and he suffered settled there under. With God's help he could always escape them or even to tame them. In person, he buried the venerable remains of the two heroes of the faith: Donatianus and Rogatianus († 287; feast May 24). Eventually he was allowed to experience how peace fell over the church. As winner of the protracted storm, he was the first bishop in Nantes, so drenched in blood of Christian martyrs, the light did break through better times. After having in many ways demonstrated his holiness, he died in the Lord. "
Veneration
He has a church in the city of Nantes, situated on a hill on the Erdre. This site stems from very early times. According to an old tradition that church stands on his grave. It would have additionally been the place where he had retired during the persecutions.
That may be true to the extent that they were located at least outside the walls of the former city. In the days of Clovis († 511; feast Nov. 27), the city was spared an invasion by Saxony. The siege lasted sixty days previously, when the besiegers saw one night a procession from St. Similianus of white-clad figures; each carrying a candle and then saw a similar procession from Church of Saint Donatianus, the Saxons were thrown into such panic that they abandoned their positions and fled.
When the Normans conquered the city in 843, yet they would have thrown Similianus remains in a well. In the Middle Ages pilgrims came to drink from that well in the hope of healing.
References
- ↑ L. Clermont, Souvenirs et notes historiques. Paroisse Saint Similien, Nantes, Vincent Forest et Émile Grimaud, 1894, 24 p. (notice BnF no FRBNF34124426, lire en ligne).
- ↑ Martial Monteil, « Les édifices des premiers temps chrétiens (IVe ‑ VIIe siècle de notre ère) à Nantes », dans Hélène Rousteau-Chambon (dir.) et al., Nantes religieuse, de l'Antiquité chrétienne à nos jours, Département d'histoire et d'archéologie de l'université de Nantes, coll. « Bulletin de la Société archéologique et historique de Nantes et de la Loire-Atlantique » (no hors série), 2008, 268 p. (ISSN 1283-8454), p. 49-56.