Silvinus of Auchy

Holy Hierarch Silvinus of Auchy (born around 650 at Toulouse) was at first a courtier but gave up worldly life to preach the Gospel. He enlightened the region around Thérouanne in northern France and, in some forty years of unceasing work, paid the ransoms of many slaves. Near the end he withdrew to the monastery of Auchy-⁠les-⁠Moines and lived there as a monk for the few years that remained to him. He reposed at Auchy around 717 (Orthodox England gives 720). He is venerated as a saint of the undivided Church and is commemorated on 17 February (new calendar).