Gratus of Oloron

Saint Gratus of Oloron was the first bishop of Oloron, in southern France, in the fifth century and the beginning of the sixth. Born into a Catholic family at Lichos, in the lower valley of the river Saison, he is also called Gratus of Lichos. He is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, commemorated on 11 October (new style).

In his youth, Catholics were persecuted by the Arian Visigothic king Euric (466-485). His successor, Alaric II (485-507), was more tolerant and allowed the founding of Catholic sees, among them that of Oloron, of which Gratus was the first bishop. He took part in 506 in the Council of Agde, where thirty-⁠four Catholic bishops of the Visigothic kingdom met under the presidency of Saint Caesarius of Arles. In 507 the Visigoths were defeated by Clovis at Vouillé, but after Clovis died in 511 the Visigothic presence south of the Garonne was still strong. Gratus is believed to have died at Jaca during this period, and his body was brought back and laid to rest at Oloron-⁠Sainte-⁠Marie.