Leodegar

Leodegar a saint (in French St. Leger), was born about 616. He was educated by his uncle (some say his grandfather), the bishop of Poitiers, who made him archdeacon. Leodegar was afterwards called to the court as adviser of Bathilde, and tutor of her young son Chotaire. In 659 he was appointed bishop of Autun. That diocese was then in a rather dilapidated condition, and Leodegar applied himself at once to its restoration. He supported the poor, instructed the clergy and the people, decorated and enriched the churches, and reformed the morals of convents by introducing the rule of St. Benedict, for which purpose he held a synod at the end of 670. He was also instrumental in securing to Childeric II, of Austrasia, the western part of France in 670; but the fickle monarch did not long consent to be ruled by his advice, and Leodegar was finally disposed of by public execution after Chikleric's death, being accused of complicity in his murder, in 678. His death is commemorated in the Roman Catholic Church Oct. 2.