Cassian of Autun

Saint Cassian of Autun was bishop of Autun in Gaul from 314 to 350, successor of Saint Reticius, and he reposed around 350. He may have been an Egyptian by birth. Gregory of Tours attributes miracles to him.

After the peace brought by Constantine, he had a vision and decided to set out with some companions to evangelize the Britons. Getting as far as Autun, he became the assistant of Saint Reticius. On Reticius's death he was elected bishop and for some twenty years carried on the evangelization of the Aedui, well liked by the people of his see. He was buried at Saint Peter's. Gregory of Tours, who came to Autun two centuries after his death, said he saw a great tomb venerated with devotion. His relics were taken around 820 to a monastery, and Charles the Bald made a magnificent reliquary, stored in the crypt of the Basilica of Saint-⁠Quentin. He was highly revered in the Middle Ages, with celebrations on 1 January, 9 February, 2 May, 16 July and 14 November, dates of events in his life. He is often confused with other Cassians. He has been patron of the church of Savigny-⁠lès-⁠Beaune since 1443 and of three villages in Burgundy. He is commemorated on 5 August as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.