Germanus of Paris (696–576)

Biography

He studied in Avalon and then lived for a long time in the house of a relative in Burgundy. He was ordained a priest and at the age of forty sent as abbot to the abbey of San Sinforiano de Autun. Childebert, son of Clovis and king of Paris, called him to be bishop of his capital. Germán became one of the most influential prelates of his time. He founded the Parisian abbey of Saint Vincent, which was long known as Saint-Germain des-Prés. Although he was not able to correct the customs of Clovis' children, he at least managed to help the future Saint Radegund to leave the court and build the monastery in Poitiers where she was to end her days.