Siffredus of Carpentras

Saint Siffredus of Carpentras (French: Siffrein) was a bishop of Carpentras who is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.^[1]

Saint Siffredus
Venasque - St Siffrein
Bishop
Died	7th century Venasque
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Feast	27 November
Patronage	Carpentras, France

Siffredus was a monk in Lérins Abbey before becoming bishop of Carpentras at the beginning of the seventh century.^[1] Not much is known of his life and Siffredus does not appear to have participated in any church council.^[1] However, during his episcopate, he ordered the construction of many churches in Carpentras and in Venasque.^[1]

Religious and popular tradition holds that Siffredus led an austere life and was zealous in his pastoral duties, caring for the poor and exorcising demons.^[1]

Veneration

The traditional date of his death, 27 November, was fixed as his feast day as early as the eleventh century, when his name appears in local martyrologies.^[1] Siffredus’ body was translated sometime before the thirteenth century from Venasque to Carpentras.^[1] His relics were saved from destruction during the French Revolution by a priest in 1793, and are still preserved in Carpentras Cathedral, which is dedicated to him.^[1]

Further reading

• Reyne, André, 1983: Saint Siffrein: évêque et patron de Carpentras. Avignon: Aubanel