Saint Dalmatius of Rodez () was a bishop of Rodez from 524 to 580.Patron Saints Index: Saint Dalmatius of Rodez
Dalmatius was born in the late 400s in Gaul; he became bishop of Rodez in 524 at a relatively young man age. He is considered by the Catholic Church to have suffered at the hands of Amalaric, who was a follower of Arianism. In 535, Dalmatius attended the Council of Arvernum,"Dalmatius.5", The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (James Strong and John McClintock, eds.); Harper and Brothers; NY; 1880 which among its sixteen decrees, held that the granting of episcopal dignity must be according to the merits and not as a result of intrigues. In 541, he attended the Fourth Council of Orléans and on his return made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Martin of Tours.Jones, David Rice. "Dalmatius (6)", A Dictionary of Christian Biography, (William Smith, Henry Wace, eds.), London, John Murray, 1877, p. 782
Gregory of Tours reports that Dalmatius built a church, but tore it down so often for improvements, that it was left unfinished at his death. Dalmatius' testament requested from Childebert II that the bishop's successor not be a stranger to the see, or covetous, or married. His successor should be someone who spent all of his time praising God.Electronic Antiquities Volume III, Number 3 His feast day is November 13.Odden, Per Einer. "Den hellige Dalmatius av Rodez (d. 580)", Den katolske kirke
References