ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER
Saints celebrated on the 21st of December
HINCMAR, ARCHBISHOP OF REIMS
The name Hincmar (Hincmarus) is derived from the old German inc, enc, meaning servant, son, and mar, denoting glory; therefore it means "son of fame."
This famous man, whose name is also variously spelled Ingumar, Ingmar and Igmar [Hinkmar], descended from a noble West Frankish family. He was born around the year 806. His place of birth is unknown, but it is certain that he received a very thorough education at the monastery of Saint Denis near Paris under Abbot Hilduin, whom he held in great esteem. When Abbot Hilduin was exiled in 830 because of his participation in the unrest that had broken out against King Louis, Hincmar voluntarily accompanied him into exile in Saxony. At Hincmar's request, Hilduin was allowed to return after a year.
Emperor Louis the Pious thought highly of Hincmar and asked him for help with various projects. Charles the Bald bestowed even greater favour on him by requesting him to stay at his court. Following the synod of Beauvais in 845, with the consent of Hilduin and King Charles, Hincmar was given the archbishopric of Reims. He is designated as the 32nd bishop of this seat. Pope Leo IV sent him the pallium once another synod in Paris (in 847) had decided on the legitimacy of his election. This had been called into question because his predecessor Ebbo had not died but, rather, the legitimacy of latter's elevation had been contested.
Hincmar was extraordinarily learned and astute; he defended with dexterity all his measures, and was considered a great authority in his day, especially in canon law. For the clergy of his diocese he issued very salutary decrees, of which six collections still exist. He also left many other writings.
Charles the Bald was crowned by Hincmar in 869, and so was his son, King Louis II (855-875).
Even the last days of Hincmar's life were most eventful. For when the Normans, who were then plaguing the West Franks badly, stormed towards Reims, Hincmar fled to Epernay,, taking with him the relics of Saint Remigius and other treasures for safekeeping. There he died on December 21, 882.
For 37 years he had administered archbishopric amid much struggle. He was subsequently buried at the monastery in Reims, next to Saint Remiqius. Hincmar, a religious of the Order of Saint Benedict, is listed as "Saint Hincmar" in a Benedictine calendar* on March 5. Otherwise his name is not mentioned in any martyrology.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, pp. 746-47)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
Comments
Post a Comment