Siffredus of Carpentras

Saint Siffredus
Venasque - St Siffrein
Bishop
Died	7th century Venasque
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Feast	27 November
Patronage	Carpentras, France

Saint Siffredus of Carpentras (French: Siffrein) was a bishop of Carpentras who is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.[1]

Siffredus was a monk in Lérins Abbey before becoming bishop of Carpentras at the beginning of the seventh century.[1] Not much is known of his life and Siffredus does not appear to have participated in any church council.[1] However, during his episcopate, he ordered the construction of many churches in Carpentras and in Venasque.[1]

Religious and popular tradition holds that Siffredus led an austere life and was zealous in his pastoral duties, caring for the poor and exorcising demons.[1]

Veneration

The traditional date of his death, 27 November, was fixed as his feast day as early as the eleventh century, when his name appears in local martyrologies.[1] Siffredus’ body was translated sometime before the thirteenth century from Venasque to Carpentras.[1] His relics were saved from destruction during the French Revolution by a priest in 1793, and are still preserved in Carpentras Cathedral, which is dedicated to him.[1]

Further reading

• Reyne, André, 1983: Saint Siffrein: évêque et patron de Carpentras. Avignon: Aubanel

References

1. "Saint-Siffrein-de-Carpentras". Diocese of Avignon. January 15, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2009.