Arnoul of Metz

Arnoul of Metz known as holy Arnoul (v. 582 - † 641), bishop of Metz, controlled in the facts with Pépin of Landen the kingdom of Austrasie, then became monk with the Saint-Mount.

It is the founder of the dynasty of the Arnulfiens, allied of the Pépinides.

Biography

Arnoul was born towards 582, with the Château of Layum today Lay-Saint-Christophe close to Nancy. It belongs to an big family of the Woëvre.

Become adult it enters to the service of Théodebert II of which it is a time intendant of the royal fields.

He thinks of withdrawing himself to carry out an ascetic life but its family manages to marry it in 611 with Dode d' Héristal ( holy Dode ), with which he will have two wire Chlodulf ( holy Clou ) (? - † 697) and Ansegisèle (? - † front 679).

By its position of leude at the court it enters the opposition against Brunehilde and is combined with Clotaire II. Following that it is found associated with Pépin with Landen; they will share the capacity and their children will marry.

In 613, Clotaire II becomes Master of all the kingdom and rewards its faithful. Arnoul is thus seen granting in 614 the episcopal see of Metz - which is the capital of the kingdom of Austrasie -, it is also domesticus and palatinus . Finally Clotaire names it tutor of its son Dagobert Ier (602 - 639). When Clotaire II named Arnoul bishop of Metz, his wife Dode d' Héristal entered to the convent since a bishop cannot be married.

In 629, when Clotaire II dies, it can finally be withdrawn and enter the orders. It joined his friend Saint Romaric, founder of the monastery of Remiremont (Romarici Mons) according to the Règle of saint Colomban. It will finish its days as a hermit, not far from the monastery, requesting and serving the leprous ones that it accommodates in his hermitage.

He dies on August 16th, 641.

Its life, where it left the memory of large of Austrasie, in spite of its opposition to Brunehilde, but also especially its legend, said Légende of Saint Arnoul , deeply marked the memory of the areas of the East of France: One day it threw its bishop's ring in the Moselle, while declaring: “I will believe that God forgave me my sins when I recover this ring”. Little time after the ring was récupéréré in the stomach a fish which was intended for the episcopal table.

Genealogy

See also Pippinides

Arnoul known as '' holy Arnoul '' ép. Dode known as '' holy Dode '' │ ├─ Chlodulf known as '' holy Nail '' (? - † 697), bishop of Metz (v. 656). └─ Ansegisèle (? - † front 679), mayor of the palate of Austrasie (629 - 639). ép. in v. 635 Begga

The legend

Saint Arnoul decided one beautiful day to throw his ring in the Moselle. Its gesture is a proof of humility.

By throwing it he says: " I will believe that God forgave me my sins when I find this anneau".

From there was born this famous legend which lets think that a fish swallowed the ring and was been used little as time after of the episcopal table.

To believing the legend of it, God came indirectly into contact with Arnoul which was washed of its sins and made of him a legitimate representative of God on ground.

Saint Arnoul is patron saint of the Lorraine brewers. Little time after its death, its relics was brought back Remiremont to Metz. During the way, the people who brought them back missed beer and requested Saint Arnoul in order to have what to be restored. Their prayers were exaucées when they miraculeusement found beer in empty barrels.

Sources

The life of Arnoul saint is reported by one of its contemporaries and was published in “Acta Sanctorum ordinis S. Benedicti” and in the “Scriptora rerum merovingicarum”.

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