SAINT PATROCLUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR - 31 JANUARY

 

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Saints celebrated on the 31st of January

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SAINT PATROCLUS, BISHOP AND MARTYR

On this day, the martyrologies mention Saint Patroclus, bishop and martyr in France (in Gallia). This very general designation suggests that today's feast day commemorates Patroclus' translation, rather than his death. Who, then, was Saint Patroclus, bishop and martyr?

Although it is stated elsewhere that our Saint Patroclus may have been bishop of Grenoble (Gratianopolis), the records do not list any bishop of this name in this city. At the beginning of the fifth century there was a Bishop Patroclus in Arles. However, because he had ascended this chair in an uncanonical way during the lifetime of Bishop Heros, he only found general recognition after his death. Moreover, the reputation of this bishop had the additional stain of him having favoured simonistic efforts. After his violent and unjust death, this was no longer thought of and nothing further stood in the way of his veneration. But it is not at all certain whether this Patroclus or rather another martyr of the same name was venerated in Saint Denis (II. 1110).

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Patroclus may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org