Saint James of Sasseau
A former Greek soldier who became a priest, Saint Jacques de Sasseau settled as a hermit in Berry in the 9th century after a journey through Italy and Gaul. Under the protection of Lord Robert, he founded a hermitage on the banks of the Sauldre which became the village of La Chapelle-d'Angillon. He died in 865 after prophesying the Norman invasions.
Contemporaries
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Guided reading
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SAINT JACQUES DE SASSEAU, HERMIT IN BERRY (865).
Origins and Vocation
Born in Greece in the 9th century, Jacques first served as a soldier before becoming a cleric under the influence of his brother Herpillinus and departing for Gaul.
Son of Felix and Harmepa, Sa int Jacques w as born in Greece at the beginning of the 9th century and first served as a soldier under the comma nd of Leo the A rmenian. Later, following the example and advic e of Herpil linus, his elder brother, who was already devoted to the Lord, he became a cleric and set out for Gaul. After a shor t respite in Genoa, where he healed a blind woman named Petronilla and protected the fields from hail, he secretly left that city, revolted by the ingratitude of the inhabitants, passed through Lyon, a nd went t o Fredegisus, the famous bishop of Clermont, who developed an ardent affection for him, ordained him a priest, and wished to keep him by his side. But, obeying higher orders, Jacques continued his pilgrimage, reac hed Bou rges, and began by visiting the churches and the tombs of the Saints.
Wandering and Ordination
After a miraculous passage through Genoa and a stay in Clermont where he was ordained a priest by Bishop Frédégise, Jacques joined a pilgrimage to Bourges.
He briefly considered settling at the monastery of La Nef; but his love for the contemplative life prevailing, he established himself as a hermit, two leagues from the metropolis of Berry, on the banks of the Sauldre, in a wooded place named S axiacus, with the con sent o f Robert, a high and powerful lord of that region, of royal blood and son-in-law of Wilfred, Count of Bourges. There he first built a narrow hut for himself and his disciple John; then, with the help of alms, he raised a modest chapel there with his own hands.
Eremitic life in Berry
Seeking contemplation, he established himself as a hermit at Saxiacus on the banks of the Sauldre with his disciple John, supported by the lord Robert.
Robert and his pious wife Agane, who had their dwelling in the vicinity, visited him frequently and had a servant bring him dishes from their table. James lived thus for a long time, in prayers and macerations, and, when he felt his end approaching, he commanded his disciple to dig a grave inside the chapel, lay down in it, and breathed his last, with his hands joined and his eyes turned toward heaven. A few days earlier, it is said, he had announced the death of Raoul of Turenne, Archbishop of Bourg es, a great fami ne, and a new invasion of the Normans which was to be fatal to the monastery of La Nef and devastate Aquitaine.
Death and prophecies
Jacques dies in his chapel after prophesying the death of the Archbishop of Bourges, a famine, and the Norman invasions.
Like the cells of Eusice and Patroclus, the sanctuary where the mortal remains of Saint Jacques rested gave life to the wilderness. Dwellings gathered there and soon formed a village which took the name of La Chapel le, to whic h usage added that of Gillon de Sully, one of the oldest lords of the region.
Posterity and Veneration
His hermitage became the nucleus of the village of La Chapelle-d'Angillon, and his memory is preserved by local and Benedictine traditions.
The Benedictine annals add that one formerly showed, a league from Bourges, towards Vierzon, in a church also dedicated to Saint Jacques, an obscure cell which tradition holds the illustrious hermit made his dwelling before settling on the banks of the Sauldre.
Excerpt from the Pious Legends of Berry, by M. Veillat.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
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The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint James of Sasseau
Frequently asked questions about Saint James of Sasseau
Who was Saint James of Sasseau?
A former Greek soldier who became a priest, Saint Jacques de Sasseau settled as a hermit in Berry in the 9th century after a journey through Italy and Gaul. Under the protection of Lord Robert, he founded a hermitage on the banks of the Sauldre which became the village of La Chapelle-d'Angillon. He died in 865 after prophesying the Norman invasions.
What is Saint James of Sasseau the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint James of Sasseau: La Chapelle-Gillon.
How is Saint James of Sasseau depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint James of Sasseau is recognizable by: hermit's habit, pit and chapel.
What miracles are attributed to Saint James of Sasseau?
3 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Healing, Mastery of the elements and Prophecy / infused knowledge.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint James of Sasseau?
Contemporaries include: Saint Ansgar (Apostle of the North), Saint Bernard of Menthon (Apostle of the Alps), Saint Rumold (Rombaud) and Saint Zachary, Pope.
When did Saint James of Sasseau die?
Saint James of Sasseau died around 900.
What are the other names of Saint James of Sasseau?
Other forms of the name: Jacques.
Who are the relatives of Saint James of Sasseau?
Relatives of Saint James of Sasseau: Félix (father), Harmépa (mother) and Herpillinus (elder brother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Soldier under Leo the Armenian
- Conversion and departure for Gaul
- Healing of a blind woman in Genoa
- Priestly ordination in Clermont by Frédégise
- Settled as a hermit at Saxiacus (Sasseau)
- Construction of a chapel with his disciple John
- Prophecy of the death of Raoul de Turenne and the Norman invasion