Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 96
Senoch, later presbyter in Tours (Gaul), a Taifal by birth, becomes a cleric, establishes a monastery, renovates an oratory, and becomes a deacon, ca 556/573. Account of Gregory of Tours, "Life of the Fathers", Tours (Gaul), ca 590.
15.1
 
Igitur beatissimus Senoch genere Theifalus Pectavi pagi, quem Theifaliam vocant, oriundus fait, et conversus ad Dominum clericusque factus, monasterium sibi instituit. Repperit enim infra territurii Turonici terminum parietes antiquos, quos erudirans a ruinis, habitationes dignas aptavit. Repperitque ibi oratorium, in quo ferebatur celebre nostrum orasse Martinum. Quod diligenti cura conpositum, erecto altari loculumque in eo ad recipiendas sanctorum reliquias praeparatum, ad bene dicendum invitat episcopum. Adfuit tunc Eufronius beatus episcopus, qui, consecratum altare, eum diaconatus honori donavit.
 
(ed. Krusch 1885: 271)
15.1
 
The blessed Senoch, a Taifal by birth, was born in the region of Poitou called Theifalia and, having turned towards the Lord, he became a cleric and established a monastery. He found in the territory of Tours old walls and by restoring them from ruins he made worthy dwellings. He also found an oratory in which it is said our illustrious Martin had prayed. He restored it with much care, and having placed an altar inside which had a small compartment suitable of containing relics, he invited the Bishop to come to bless it. The blessed bishop Eufronius came, and when he had blessed the altar he bestowed on Senoch the honour of the diaconate.
 
(trans. James 1991: 95)

Discussion:

This event must have taken place during the episcopate of Bishop Eufronius, direct predecessor of Gregory at the episcopal see of Tours, i.e. between 556 and 573.
 
At the beginning of Gregory's Life, Senoch is referred to with the title of a father (abba).
 
Senoch was later ordained presbyter, almost certainly by Gregory of Tours, see [92].

Place of event:

Region
  • Gaul
City
  • Tours

About the source:

Author: Gregory of Tours
Title: Life of the Fathers, Vita Patrum, Liber Vitae Patrum
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Gregory of Tours (bishop of Tours in Gaul in 573-594) started writing his Life of the Fathers some time before 587 and finished it around 592 or slightly later, as shown by the cross-references to his other works.  It is a collection of twenty Gallic saints` lives of different lengths. They all are in some way connected to Gregory`s family or church interests, while also exemplifying different virtues leading to sanctity. Saints presented in the Life of the Fathers are all either ascetics or bishops.
 
More on the text: James 1991: ix-xxv.
Edition:
B. Krusch ed., Gregorii Episcopi Turonensis Miracula et Opera Minora, Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores rerum Merovingicarum 1.2, Hannover 1885, 211-294.
 
Translation:
Gregory of Tours, Life of the Fathers, trans. E. James, Liverpool 1991.

Categories:

Former ecclesiastical career - Lower clergy
Former ecclesiastical career - Deacon
Monastic or common life - Cenobitic monk
Monastic or common life - Monastic superior (abbot/prior)
Non-Latin Origin - Taifal
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER96, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=96