Aunacharius (or Aunarius), St

Aunacharius (Or Aunarius), St., bishop of Auxerre, was of a rich and noble family of Orleans. After living some time at the court of Gunthram, king of Burgundy, he placed himself under the discipline of Syagrius, bishop of Autun. He made such advances in knowledge and piety that in 571 or 572 he was chosen to succeed St. Etherius, bishop of Auxerre. In 578 he convoked a synod of the abbots and priests of his diocese, in which forty-five canons of discipline were drawn up. He died Sept. 25, 605, on which day his festival is marked in the martyrologies. His remains were buried at Auxerre; but were afterwards disinterred and enclosed in a golden chest, which was plundered by the Hungarians in 1567. The relics, partially dispersed, are said to have been preserved in a hollow pillar in the crypt. See Baillet, Sept. 25.