Ferjus of Grenoble

Saint Ferjus of Grenoble, hieromartyr (Ferréol, Ferreolus), was bishop of Grenoble (Gratianopolis) in the 7th century and was killed around 660 (one source gives 659). He is venerated as a saint and martyr in the Western Church; his veneration was confirmed by Pope Pius X in 1903. He is remembered on 12 January.

His life is poorly known. He came, according to Bernard Bligny, from one of the main Gallo-⁠Roman families of Burgundy, like his predecessor Clarus. He ascended the see of Grenoble around 653; according to the catalog of bishops he served between Clarus, attested in 654, and Bosus, attested in 664. He was assassinated, probably on the orders of Clothar III, like other bishops who defied the king's authority.

Two traditions are kept about his death. A summary of his life from the 17th century tells that he was preaching on Mount Esson (today Mont Rachais), above Grenoble, when he was struck on the head by an assassin and thrown into a burning oven; he was buried in the church where he used to preach. The old calendars of the diocese call him a martyr; his oldest passion was printed in 1513.