Agatumbrus
Acta Sanctorum, May 11
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-11/agatumbrus.html
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ON ST. AGATUMBRUS
BISHOP OF METZ.

ABOUT THE YEAR DXXX

[Commentary]

Agatumbrus Bishop of Metz (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

The ancient Martyrology of the Church of Metz, cited
by Meurisse in the History of the Bishops of Metz,
sets forth two Bishops on the XI
of May in these words: At Metz of the holy Confessors
and likewise Pontiffs Ruffus and Agatumbrus. [Memory in the Martyrologies]
Both are also recorded by Grevenus in the Auctarium of Usuard
printed in the year XV and XXI of the preceding century, and by Canisius in
the German Martyrology. But St. Ruffus is venerated chiefly
on the VII of November, inscribed also in the Roman Martyrology.
Hence Ferrarius in the General Catalogue at this XI
of May has only this: At Metz of S. Agathymberus, Bishop
of the same city: to which day the Sammarthani assign also his
death. By Paul Warnefrid in the Bishops
of Metz he is called Agathander. Saussay adorns
both with a greater eulogy: At Metz, he says, of the holy
Confessors and likewise Pontiffs Ruffus and Agatimbrus.
Of whom the former, [eulogy from Saussay,] the ninth, the latter the twenty-second
in the series of Bishops sitting, although disparate in time,
yet equal as in dignity so in merits, governed that Church
with great glory of religion. Then, the eulogy
of Ruffus being related, the same Saussay continues these things about Agatimbrus.

[2] But truly Agatimbrus, a Greek by nation, when for piety's sake
he had passed over into Italy; thence, Theodoric
the Visigoth King the Arian harassing the worshippers of the orthodox faith,
driven into Gaul, withdrew to Metz,
and under the protection of Gramacius the Prelate, his fellow countryman,
he produced eminent splendors both of piety and of preeminent
doctrine. Therefore, Gramacius being dead, by the votes of all
chosen into his place, he showed
himself a man of Apostolic virtue by glorious deeds, with which he adorned
the Chair, and directed his flock: and at length,
the Episcopal office being fulfilled in all sanctity,
deceased by a blessed end, with S. Ruffus himself
he was buried in the crypt of S. Clement. Whence, brought forth with
him to veneration, he obtained a common
celebration of merits. [Time of his death.] Thus Saussay. Some of which,
especially concerning his coming on account of the persecution
of Theodoric, Meurisse also relates: who assigns the death of this
Saint to the year of Christ DXXXI. The aforesaid S.
Clement was the first Bishop of Metz, and is venerated
on the XXIII of November.
