Eptadius of Autun

Eptadius of Autun (also called Aptas) was born at the end of the 5th century at Autun, in a well-⁠off family, and died in 525. He was a moneyer of Autun, then a priest, hermit and monk, founder of the monastery of Cervon. Before his marriage he fell gravely ill with fever and vowed to God that, if he recovered, he would give his life to Him. He became a priest, and his reputation for holiness marked him for the episcopate: King Clovis and Bishop Flavian of Autun tried to persuade him, but he, fleeing honours, withdrew into the forest at Cervon, "the mountain of the stags".

There he lived in solitude and ransomed captives from the neighbouring towns. The fame of his virtues and austerity drew more and more disciples, so that he built a monastery. The king made him distributor of his alms, entrusting great riches to him. He returned every year to Autun for the feast of Saint Symphorian. He was the first abbot of the monastery that bears his name, turned into a collegiate church in the 12th century. He is patron of blacksmiths and is invoked against storms and lightning. He is a saint of the undivided Church, venerated in the West.