Acharius of Noyon, St.
ACHARIUS OF NOYON, ST.
Bishop; d. Nov. 27, c. 640. Though no medieval hagiographer has left a life of St. Acharius (Aigahardus), he is mentioned in several Merovingian sources. He was a monk at luxeuil under St. eustace of luxeuil, the successor of St. columban. In 626–627 he signed the acts of the synod of Clichy as Aigahardus, Bishop of Tournai-Noyon. Most probably he was responsible for the appointment of St. omer to the See of Thérouanne by King Dagobert I. He encouraged the missionary activities of St. amandus, who in turn asked Acharius to have Dagobert force the rebellious pagans to receive Baptism. St. Acharius's successor at Noyon was St. eligius of noyon.
Feast: Nov. 27.
Bibliography: Monumenta Germaniae Historica: Scriptores rerum Merovingicarum 4:123 (Colomban); 4:695 (Eligius); 5:437 (Amand); 5:755 (Omer). j. l. baudot and l. chaussin, Vies des saints et des bienheureux selon l'ordre du calendrier avec l'historique des fêtes 11:923–924.
[b. l. marthaler]