Saint Leo
Lyé
Abbot of the monastery of Mentenay in the 6th century, Saint Leon (or Lyé) succeeded the blessed Romanus. Warned of his approaching death by a vision of Saints Hilary, Martin, and Anianus, he obtained a three-day delay to receive the burial habit promised by a noble lady. He died in 550 and his relics rest today near Troyes.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT LEON OR LYÉ, ABBOT († 550).
Origins and monastic life
Saint Lyé was born in Mentenay and succeeded Romain as abbot of the local monastery, distinguishing himself by his evangelical virtues.
Saint Lyé was born in the village of Mentena y, which now bears his name, a few kilometers from Troye s, in Champagne. He succeeded the blessed Romain, who had become Bishop of Reims, as abbot of the monastery of M enten ay. From his childhood until his death, all the evangelical virtues were seen to shine in him.
Celestial visions and announcement of death
Saints Hilary, Martin, and Aignan appear to Lyé to announce his imminent passing after the funeral of Maurele.
Saint Hilary, S aint Martin, and Saint Aign an appeared to him one night while he was resting, as was his custom, in the baptistery on a miserable pallet, and announced to him that he would leave the world in three days, after he had given burial to the venerable Maurele .
The three days having passed, the same holy bishops appeared to him once more, warning him that his hour had come, and that he was expected at the celestial banquet.
The delay for the burial habit
The saint obtains a three-day reprieve to receive a burial habit promised by a noble lady before passing away.
The holy abbot asked for a three-day truce, so that, he said, he might be clothed in a burial habit that someone had promised him. This delay being granted to him, he immediately dispatched his nephew to a noble lady.
Arriving before the lady, the messenger said to her: "Our good Father is about to leave the world, which is why he sends me to claim the burial habit that you promised him."
The lady replied: "Fool that I am, the habit is not ready; but the Father was not very old, and I did not believe he would die so soon; but wait only three days, and you will be able to take it."
Three days later, th e blessed Leo, h aving received his habit, passed from this life to a better one.
Cult and Posterity
The body of the saint, formerly at Mentenay, now rests in the church of Saint-Lyé near Troyes.
His body was formerly in the parish church of Mentenay, enclosed in a gilded reliquary. Today it rests on the high altar of the Saint-Lyé chu rch, near Troyes .
*Ancient Breviary of Troyes and local notes .*
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Leo (Lyé)
Frequently asked questions about Saint Leo (Lyé)
Who was Saint Leo (Lyé)?
Abbot of the monastery of Mentenay in the 6th century, Saint Leon (or Lyé) succeeded the blessed Romanus. Warned of his approaching death by a vision of Saints Hilary, Martin, and Anianus, he obtained a three-day delay to receive the burial habit promised by a noble lady. He died in 550 and his relics rest today near Troyes.
What is Saint Leo (Lyé) the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Leo (Lyé): Saint-Lyé.
How is Saint Leo (Lyé) depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Leo (Lyé) is recognizable by: mortuary habit and pallet.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Leo (Lyé)?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Vision / apparition and Prophecy / infused knowledge.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Leo (Lyé)?
Contemporaries include: Saint Remigius (Apostle of the Franks), Saint Antide of Besançon, Saint Eugene of Carthage and Saint Nicaise of Reims.
When did Saint Leo (Lyé) die?
Saint Leo (Lyé) died around 600.
What are the other names of Saint Leo (Lyé)?
Other forms of the name: Lyé.
Who are the relatives of Saint Leo (Lyé)?
Relatives of Saint Leo (Lyé): Inconnu (nephew).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Mentenay
- Succession of Blessed Romanus as abbot of Mentenay
- Apparition of Saints Hilary, Martin, and Anianus announcing his death
- Burial given to the venerable Maurele
- Requested a three-day delay to receive his burial habit
- Death after receiving the habit
Quotes
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Our good Father is about to leave the world, which is why he sends me to claim the burial habit you promised him
Words of Saint Lyé's nephew