Contentius of Bayeux

Saint Contentius (Contest, Content, Contès) was bishop of Bayeux from 480 until his death, in 510 (one source says 513). He is a saint of both the Catholic and the Orthodox Church, and his commemoration is on 19 January.

According to Father Elie, he was from Bayeux, and his hermitage was at Blay, near Bayeux. His great reputation for holiness drew many pilgrims to him, who came for spiritual comfort. The inhabitants managed to have him made bishop of Bayeux and successor of Saint Manvieu. As bishop he fought against the idolatry that still lingered in the region and against the nobles who traded in it. Several miracles are attributed to him; on the way to Séez he brought water out of the ground at Athis-⁠de-⁠l'Orne to quench the thirst of his companions.

He died in the year 510 or 513. First he was buried in the church of Saint-⁠Exupère, and in 1162 he was moved to the Benedictine abbey of Fécamp. Then his relics were taken to Argentan, where they escaped the Huguenots in 1562. The translation of his right femur to the church at Saint-⁠Contest was made in 1896, with great solemnity. A municipality of the Caen conurbation is called Saint-⁠Contest, and a town in Mayenne, Contest.