Domitian of Bugey

Domitian of Bugey was an abbot and founder of a monastery in Gaul, who reposed on 1 July 440 according to the French source. According to tradition he was born at Rome, around 347, to Philip and Marcianilla. He lost his parents in the Arian persecutions, gave his goods to the poor and withdrew to a religious house.

In 426 he set out for Gaul, reached Marseille and was received by Salvian; he stayed briefly with Saint Hilary of Arles. About 430 he went to Lyon, to Eucherius, whom he had known at Lérins, and Eucherius urged him to settle in his diocese. He settled on the bank of the Ain, at Axance, where he built an oratory dedicated to Saint Christopher. As disciples multiplied, he set out with Modestus to seek a suitable place for a monastery. He built an oratory and a hospice beside the river Albarine, at the place that became Saint-⁠Rambert-⁠en-⁠Bugey, helped by Latinus, lord of Lagnieu, and his wife Syagria, Arians who became Christians and gave the necessary lands. So the monastery of Saint-⁠Domitien came into being.

In old age he chose his disciple John as successor and spent his last days in his cell. He foretold the day of his death, and tradition says the cell was then filled with a sweet fragrance. He was buried near the altar of Saint Genesius. In 1078 part of his relics and those of Saint Rambert were taken to the priory of Saint-⁠Rambert in Forez. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him on 1 July as the first to lead a hermit's life there. He is a saint of the undivided Church, venerated in the West.