12 Facts About Saint Perpetuus

Saint Perpetuus succeeded his relative, possibly an uncle, Eustochius, and was succeeded by another close relative, Volusian.

Saint Perpetuus was a student of sacred literature and a friend of the poet Sidonius Apollinaris.

Saint Perpetuus guided the Church of Tours for thirty years, developing and consolidating Christianity in Touraine.

In 461, Saint Perpetuus presided at a council in which eight bishops who were reunited in Tours on the Feast of St Martin had participated, and at this assembly an important rule was promulgated relative to ecclesiastical discipline.

Saint Perpetuus maintained a careful surveillance over the conduct of the clergy of his diocese, and mention is made of priests who were removed from their office because they had proved unworthy.

Saint Perpetuus replaced with a beautiful basilica the little chapel of SS.

Saint Perpetuus commissioned murals for the walls and inscriptions that explained them.

Saint Perpetuus built monasteries and a good many other churches, notably one in honour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which he constructed to receive the roof of the old chapel, as it was of elegant workmanship.

Gregory of Tours states that Saint Perpetuus decreed that all of the members of his diocese should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, except for a few church festivals.

Saint Perpetuus set aside several Mondays as fasts as well, especially from the Feast of St Martin until the Nativity, a precursor of Advent.

At his death, Saint Perpetuus left his vineyards, gold, and houses to benefit the poor.

Saint Perpetuus was buried in the Church of St Martin, which he had built.