Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 1929
Abbot Virgilius of Autun is ordained bishop of Arles, ca 588. Account of Gregory of Tours, "Histories", Tours (Gaul), AD 588–594.
IX.23
 
Obiit autem et Licerius Arelatensis episcopus; in cuius eclesia Virgilius abba Agustidunensis, opitulante Siagrio episcopo, substitutus est.
 
(ed. Krusch 1937: 443)
IX.23
 
Bishop Licerius of Arles died. With the backing of Bishop Siagrius [of Autun], abbot Virgilius of Autun replaced him in his Church.
 
(trans. Thorpe 1974: 511, altered by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

Judging by the place of this passus in Gregory's narrative, these events took place ca 588.
 
It is impossible to determine whether abba Virgilius was a presbyter responsible for a basilica or a monastic superior. More on presbyters described as abba, see Pietri 1983.

Place of event:

Region
  • Gaul
City
  • Autun
  • Arles

About the source:

Author: Gregory of Tours
Title: The History of the Franks, Gregorii episcopi Turonensis historiarum libri X, Histories
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Gregory of Tours (Gaul) wrote his ten books of Histories (known commonly in English as the History of the Franks) during his episcopal reign in Tours between 573 and 594. The books vary in scope and length. The first book covers 5,596 years from the creation of the world to AD 397, that is the death of Saint Martin of Tours, Gregory`s predecessor in bishopric. The second book deals with the history of Gaul between 397 and 511, the latter being the year of death of King Clovis I. The third and fourth books cover the next 64 years till the death of Austrasian King Sigibert II in 575. Finally, the following six books describe exclusively the sixteen years from 575 to 591. Probably in 594, Gregory added the list of bishops of Tours in the end of the Histories, with brief accounts of their actions.
Edition:
B. Krusch ed., Gregorii Episcopi Turonensis Historiarum Libri X [in:] Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores rerum Merovingiciarum 1.1, Hannover 1884 (repr. 1951): 1­-537.
 
Translation:
Gregory of Tours, The History of the Franks, trans. L. Thorpe, London 1974.
Bibliography:
L. Pietri, Les abbés de basilique dans la Gaule du VIe siècle, "Revue d'histoire de l'Église de France" 69 (1983), pp. 5-28.

Categories:

Ecclesiastical transfer
Further ecclesiastical career - Bishop
Described by a title - Abba
Monastic or common life - Monastic superior (abbot/prior)
Friendship
Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1929, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1929