Ferreolus of Uzès

Saint Ferreolus of Uzès was bishop of the city of Uzès in southern Gaul and reposed on 4 January 581. He may also have shepherded Nîmes.

He was born around 530 at Narbonne into a distinguished family. As bishop he laboured above all for the conversion of the Jews of his diocese; for this reason King Childebert I banished him from his see in 555, but he was recalled after three years. He founded a monastery and wrote a rule for it that has survived: the monk who does not turn the earth with the plough must write the parchment with his fingers, so that copying in the scriptorium counts as manual labour.

His sister, Saint Tarsicia of Rodez, lived as a hermit in the Rouergue. Ferreolus is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 4 January (new style).