Sonnatius of Reims

Sonnatius of Reims (also called Sonnace) was bishop of Reims from 593 to 631. The main source for his life is the History of the Church of Reims by Flodoard.

Before becoming bishop he was an archdeacon. At the command of Bishop Romulf he went to the court of King Childebert II of Austrasia and Burgundy to have the bishop's will confirmed. After Romulf's repose in 593, Sonnatius was elected his successor. In 613 he exchanged lands with Queen Brunhilda, and in October of the same year he moved the relics of Saint Remigius into the sanctuary of the new church built over his tomb, setting above it a stone sarcophagus with an inscription. In 625 he took part in the local council of Frankish bishops at Paris, and he was present at the council of 626 at Clichy, where, before King Dagobert I, the privileges of the abbey of Saint-⁠Denis were approved.

Like his predecessor, he left his property to the church of Saint Remigius, with part of it for almsgiving. He reposed on 20 October 631 and, as he wished, was buried in that church. In the twelfth century the belief spread at Reims that his relics worked miracles; in 1204 they were moved to the cathedral, where they were destroyed in the fire of 6 May 1210. Later he was honoured in the archdiocese of Reims as blessed. Some early authors wrongly attributed to him a collection of conciliar decrees.

He is remembered on 20 October. He is honoured as a saint of the undivided Church, with no synodal canonization shown in the source.