1. Nicetius was the most important bishop of the ancient see of Trier, in the era when, after the disorders of the Migrations, Frankish supremacy began in what had been Roman Gaul.
13 Facts About Nicetius
1. 2.
Nicetius came from a Gallo-Roman family; he was a native of Aquitaine.
3.
About 527 Nicetius set out as the new bishop for Trier, accompanied by an escort sent by the king, and while on the journey had opportunity to make known his firmness in the administration of his office.
4.
Bishop Nicetius replanted vineyards on the slopes above the Moselle, to restore the area's wine business.
5.
Nicetius preached daily, opposed vigorously the numerous evils in the moral life both of the higher classes and of the common people, and in so doing did not spare the king and his courtiers.
6.
Nicetius excommunicated King Chlothar I, who for some time was sole ruler of the Frankish dominions, on account of his misdeeds; in return the king exiled the determined bishop in 560.
7.
Nicetius took part in several synods of the Frankish bishops: the synod of Clermont, of Orleans, the second synod of Council of Clermont, the synod of Toul, at which he presided, and the synod of Synod of Paris.
8.
Nicetius corresponded with ecclesiastical dignitaries of high rank in distant places.
9.
Nicetius was an influential bishop in Gaul and attracted many clerics to Trier and Austrasia with the then young Venantius Fortunatus as his most famous clerical guest, writer and future bishop of Poitiers.
10.
Fortunatus' visit to Nicetius was his first major step in Gaul after he left the school of Ravenna.
11.
Nicetius wrote an urgent letter to Emperor Justinian of Constantinople in regard to the emperor's position in the controversies arising from Monophysitism.
12.
Nicetius founded a school of his own for the training of the clergy.
13.
Nicetius was buried in the church of St Maximin at Trier.