Hesperius of Metz

Saint Hesperius of Metz (also called Sperus, Spère or Spire) was the twenty-⁠third bishop of Metz, from 525 to 542, in the time of King Theudebert I. He is venerated as a saint in the Western Church.

He is one of the earliest bishops of Metz attested by documents: his name is found in the acts of the council of Clermont of 535, in which he took part. He also took part in the burial of Saint Theuderic, together with King Theuderic I and the bishops Nicetius of Trier and Lupus of Soissons.

The sources disagree on his death and his feast day: one places his death on 22 November 542, another around 548, and the feast is given either as 22 June or as 22 November.