Boetharius of Chartres

Saint Boetharius of Chartres (Béthaire, Berthaire, Betharius, Bohaire) was bishop of Chartres in Gaul from about 594 until his repose around 623. He was present at the Council of Sens.

According to medieval records, he was born in Italy and traveled to Gaul to pursue sacred studies at Chartres under Bishop Pappolus around 573. Pappolus appointed him chief theological instructor and schoolmaster of Chartres, an early foundation of the famous School of Chartres. He succeeded Pappolus as bishop and served as spiritual advisor and royal chaplain to Clotaire II. Because of the Merovingian dynastic rivalries he was captured and briefly imprisoned by King Theuderic II of Burgundy before being released. Regional tradition says he played an active role in defending the city of Chartres during a siege.

He is depicted alongside other early Merovingian bishop-⁠saints in the stained glass of Chartres Cathedral, and his relics were preserved in a shrine in the cathedral. The commune of Saint-⁠Bohaire in Loir-⁠et-⁠Cher is named for him. He is commemorated on 2 August as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.