Magnericus of Trier

Saint Magnericus of Trier was bishop of Trier in Germany, a disciple of Saint Nicetius. He was born around 522 and reposed around 596. He was one of the first bishops with a Germanic name, a friend and admirer of Gregory of Tours, who mentions him in his History of the Franks, and one of the most illustrious bishops of his time. Venantius Fortunatus described him as virtuous and charitable, an "ornament of bishops". He ordained Saint Géry, his disciple, who became bishop of Cambrai-⁠Arras.

He was born and grew up in Trier. He lived in the residence of Bishop Nicetius and accompanied him into exile when King Chlothar I banished him, in revenge for having been excommunicated. He returned to Trier the next year and was ordained by Nicetius in 566. As bishop he continued his predecessor's work of restoring the city, founded several clerical communities, among them Saint Eucharius and Saint Paulinus, and built monasteries and churches dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, to whom he had great devotion. His closeness to the Merovingian house helped him keep his influence but put him in danger: in 587, at the congress of the kings Childebert and Guntram, Duke Gontran Boson, condemned by the king, fled to his house and took him hostage, and the house was set on fire at the king's command. Childebert had made him godfather of his son Theudebert II in 586.

He was buried in the cemetery of Saint Martin's Abbey in Trier. Around the year 1000 Abbot Eberwin wrote his Life, and his veneration spread throughout Lorraine. In 1506 his grave was opened, and after the destruction of the church his remains disappeared. He is commemorated on 25 July as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.