Arnoald of Metz

Holy Hierarch Arnoald of Metz, also called Arnoldus, was the twenty-⁠fifth bishop of Metz, between 601 or 603 and 611, successor of his uncle Agilulf. He was the son of the senator Ansbertus and of Blithilde, whose parents were Charibert I and Ingoberga. He was born around 540-560 and died around 611.

Contemporary documents say very little about him. He is mentioned in 616 in the testament of Saint Bertram, bishop of Le Mans, who despises him and does not mention that he was a bishop: he and his uncle Agilulf are said to have usurped property of the Church of Le Mans. Around 783 Paul the Deacon relates in the "Liber de Episcoporum Mettensium" that he was Roman, of senatorial stock, probably from a family of southern Gaul. A tradition from the 13th century counts him as founder of the abbey of Saint-⁠Arnoul at Merkingen. Some lists call him a saint of the Catholic Church, but the sources at hand do not show a canonization; he is honored in the Western tradition. He is counted among the saints of the undivided Church.