Sidonius Apollinaris
Gaulish poet, aristocrat and bishop (430-489)
Feast: 21 August (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Sidonius, of a noble Christian family of Lyons, married the daughter of Emperor Avitus, wrote panegyrics for emperors and became prefect of Rome.
About 470 he was elected, against his will, Bishop of Clermont, and with the general Ecdicius resisted the Visigoths until the city fell in 474. He was imprisoned by King Euric, returned to Clermont and died there about August 480. His letters and poems survive.
The miracles
The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe how he came to be honoured as a saint.
Why that counted as sanctity
A statesman and poet who became a bishop in a time of invasion.
Connected on this site
- Faustus of Riez Saint Teacher
- Amabilis of Riom Saint“Sidonius Apollinaris brought Amabilis to serve at Clermont.” — Wikipedia
- Patiens of Lyon Saint“His contemporary, Sidonius Apollinaris, admired Patiens and said that, despite the austerity of his life, he made himself "all things to all men." He played his part zealously in repressing the heresies of his time; but is especially remembered for his great dedication to the poor, not only of his own Diocese, but…” — Wikipedia
- Pragmatius of Autun Saint“He was a friend of Sidonius Apollinaris and Avitus of Vienne, and he participated in at least one of the councils of his time.” — Wikipedia
- Prince de Soissons Saint“Principius and Remigius both corresponded with Sidonius Apollinaris (Book IX.8), whose letters give an idea of the elegant and very cultivated Gallo-Roman literary style that all three men had in common.” — Wikipedia
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Sidonius Apollinaris
- Wikidata Q302936 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Sidonius Apollinaris (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.