Saint Bienheuré (Bié,Bié is a form of "Beatus." See http://perso.orange.fr/marc.catherine.meyer/html/patronymes/patronymes_page0001.htm#B_bas Beatus) is a semi-legendary saint of Vendôme. Tradition states that he lived in a cave near the town. Like Saint George,Other dragon-slaying saints include Saint Julian of Le Mans, Saint Veran, Saint Beatus of Thun, Saint Crescentinus, Saint Margaret of Antioch, Saint Martha, and Saint Leonard of Noblac. he is said to have fought a dragon.Sauroctones His legend was conflated with that of Beatus of Lungern.
Legend The legend states that Bienheuré fasted and prayed before fighting the dragon. According to the legend, the dragon was so large that when it went to drink from a river at some distance away, its tail still lay in its cave. It was also so large that it drained the Loir when it drank from it. There are three versions of this combat: the first states that the dragon fled at the sight of Saint Bienheuré; the second version states that Saint Bienheuré defeated the dragon with one blow from his staff; the third states that the dragon strangled itself with its chain.
Historicity Bienheuré is identified with a missionary who traveled and preached in, besides Vendôme, Garonne, Laon,Catholic Encyclopedia: Soissons and Nantes. His place of death is considered to have been Chevresson, near Laon.9. mai: Den hellige Beatus av Vendôme (200-t)
Veneration A chapel dating from the fifth century was built on the hillside where he is said to have lived.
L'Association du Faubourg Saint Bienheuré organizes an annual festival in honor of the saint on the second Sunday of May.
Notes
Further reading Jean-Jacques Loisel, Dans les pas de saint Bienheuré de Vendôme, Sté Sc et Lettres L & C (Blois), 1999, pp. 59–87.
External links L'Association du Faubourg Saint Bienheuré La Légende de Saint Bienheuré Dragons La Légende de Saint Bienheuré