Eustasius

Biography

Under the rule of Eustasius (610-629), the abbey experienced a period of great prosperity. It had six hundred monks, maintained renowned schools and founded numerous subsidiary monasteries. Saint Eustasius had to suffer the greatest pain of his life because of the monk Agrestine, a former royal notary who momentarily caused a schism within his community. He was expelled, but, since he had good contacts, he continued to intrigue. Thus, King Clotaire II convened a Council in Mácon in order to clarify the situation. Eustasius defended the work and the rule. A witness has left us the end of his speech: "Agrestinus, if you do not depart from the obstinate path, the year will not pass before you will have to defend your reasons before the Court of God," exclaimed Eustasius. Then he gave the kiss of peace to the rebel and his supporters, who ended up submitting. A few weeks later, when he reproached a servant who had come to cut wood for certain carelessness, he suddenly became angry and killed him with an ax blow.