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Iconic illumination showing
St. Omer with King Dagobert
Feast: Sept. 9
St.
Omer was born of a distinguished family towards the close of the sixth
or the beginning of the seventh century, at Guldendal in Switzerland.
After the death of his mother, he entered with his father the abbey of
Luxeuil in the diocese of Besançon, probably about 615. Under the
direction of Eustachius, Omer studied the Scriptures, in which he
acquired remarkable proficiency.
When King Dagobert requested the appointment of a bishop for the
important city of Thérouanne, the capital of the ancient territory of
the Morini in Neustria (northern France), he was appointed and
consecrated in 637.
Though the Morini had received Christianity from Saint Fuscian and
Saint Victoricus, and later Antmund and Adelbert, nearly every vestige
of Christianity had disappeared. When Saint Omer entered upon his
episcopal duties, the Abbot of Luxeuil sent to his assistance several
monks, among whom are mentioned Saint Bertin, Saint Mummolin and Saint
Ebertran. Saint Omer had the satisfaction of seeing the Orthodox Faith
firmly established within a short time.
About 654 he founded the Abbey of Saint Peter (now Saint Bertin's) in
Sithiu. Soon this new monastery would rival old Luxeuil in the number
of learned and zealous men educated there. Several years later St. Omer
erected the Church of Our Lady of Sithiu, with a small monastery
adjoining, which he turned over to the monks of Saint Bertin. Holy
Father Omer, pray to God for us!
The icon illumination appears
to be from the 11th or perhaps the 12th century.
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