Born of a senatorial family of the Auvergne, Perpetuus became bishop of Tours around 460. He succeeded his relative, possibly an uncle, Eustochius, and was succeeded by another close relative, Saint Volusian.[1] He was a student of sacred literature and a friend of the poet Sidonius Apollinaris.
It is said of him that he dedicated his considerable wealth to the relief of those in need. He guided the Church of Tours for thirty years, and it is apparent, from what little information we have, that during his administration Christianity was considerably developed and consolidated in Touraine.[1]
In 461, Perpetuus presided at a council in which eight bishops who were reunited in Tours on the Feast of St. Martin had participated, and at this assembly an important rule was promulgated relative to ecclesiastical discipline. He maintained a careful surveillance over the conduct of the clergy of his diocese, and mention is made of priests who were removed from their office because they had proved unworthy.[1] In 465, he presided over the Council of Vannes, which condemned the use of the Sortes Sanctorum.[2]
Perpetuus actively promoted the cult of St. Martin of Tours. He replaced with a beautiful basilica (470) the little chapel of SS. Peter and Paul that Saint Britius had constructed, to protect the tomb of St. Martin.[3] Euphronius of Autun sent marble for the cover of the saint’s tomb. Perpetuus commissioned murals for the walls and inscriptions that explained them. Sidonius contributed a poem for the apse. Built 550 paces from the city, the saint’s body was translated with great ceremony in July 473.[2] Perpetuus effectively popularized the cult by making it more accessible, both to the educated classes “…and to ordinary people who could visit the church, view its murals, participate in the festivals, and listen to readings about the saint.”[4]
He built monasteries and a good many other churches, notably one in honour of St. Peter and St. Paul, which he constructed to receive the roof of the old chapel, as it was of elegant workmanship.[4]
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