*** Welcome to piglix ***

Januarius of Viviers

Diocese of Viviers
Dioecesis Vivariensis
Diocèse de Viviers
Cathédrale de Viviers - clocher.jpg
Location
Country  France
Ecclesiastical province Lyon
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Lyon
Statistics
Area 5,556 km2 (2,145 sq mi)
Population
- Total
- Catholics
(as of 2014)
327,072
285,000 (est.) (87.1%)
Parishes 24 'new parishes'
Information
Denomination Roman Catholic
Sui iuris church Latin Church
Rite Roman Rite
Established 4th Century
Cathedral Cathedral of St. Vincent in Viviers, Ardèche
Patron saint Saint Vincent
Secular priests 98 (diocesan)
44 (Religious Orders)
Current leadership
Pope Francis
Bishop Jean-Louis Marie Balsa
Metropolitan Archbishop Cardinal Philippe Barbarin
Emeritus Bishops François Blondel Bishop Emeritus (2000-2015)
Map
Diocèse de Viviers.svg
Website
Website of the Diocese

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Viviers (Latin: Dioecesis Vivariensis; French: Diocèse de Viviers) is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. Erected in the 4th century, the diocese was restored in the Concordat of 1822, and comprises the department of Ardèche, in the Region of Rhône-Alpes. Currently the diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lyon. Its current bishop is Jean-Louis Marie Balsa, appointed in 2015.

Saint Andéol, disciple of Saint Polycarp, evangelized the Vivarais under Emperor Septimius Severus and was martyred in 208.

The "Old Charter", drawn up in 950 by Bishop Thomas, the most complete document concerning the primitive Church of Viviers, mentions five bishops who lived at Alba Augusta (modern Alba-la-Romaine): Januarius, Saint Septimus, Saint Maspicianus, Saint Melanius and Saint Avolus. The last was a victim of the invasion of the barbarian Chrocus (the exact date of which is unknown).

In consequence of the ravages suffered by Alba Augusta, the new bishop, Saint Auxonius, transferred the see to Viviers about 430. Promotus was probably the first Bishop of Viviers; the document also mentions later several canonized bishops: Saints Lucian and Valerius (fifth and sixth centuries); Saint Venantius, disciple of Saint Avitus, who was present at the councils held in 517 and 535; Saint Melanius II (sixth century); Saint Eucherius, Saint Firminus, Saint Aulus, Saint Eumachius, Saint Longinus (seventh century); St. Arcontius, martyr (date unknown, perhaps later than the ninth century.


...
Wikipedia

...