Saint Gaugericus

Saint Gaugericus, in French Saint Géry (also known as Gorik, Gau; in Walloon, Djèri) (c. 550 – August 11, 619) was a bishop of Cambrai, France. He was born to Roman parents, Gaudentius and Austadiola, at Eposium (present Carignan). Tradition states that Bishop Magnerich, successor of Saint Nicetas as Bishop of Trier, was so impressed with the piety of the young man that he ordained him deacon, but not before Gaugericus had memorized the entire psalter. Magnerich entrusted Gaugericus with the pastoral care of the city of Cambrai. When the see of Cambrai-Arras fell vacant around 585, Gaugericus was elected bishop with the consent of Childebert II. Gaugericus was consecrated by Egidius, bishop of Reims. Bishop Géry devoted himself to fighting paganism, ransoming captives and visiting rural districts and villae. Gaugericus founded churches and abbeys, including a monastery dedicated to St. Medard, to host relics, which contributed powerfully to giving Cambrai both the appearance and functions of a city. He himself went on pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Martin in Tours. Géry also built a church dedicated to Saint Martin, where he had relics of this saint deposited. The bell tower of this church was to become, much later, the city's belfry. His work was crucial to the development of the city, particularly in terms of the number of buildings he left behind and the pilgrimages he attracted. Between 584 and 590, he transferred the episcopal see from Arras to Cambrai. He maintained close relations with King Chlothar II, the new lord of Cambrai after the death of Childebert, and assisted at the Council of Paris in 614. According to tradition, around the year 580 Gaugericus built a chapel on the largest island in the Senne near Brussels. Saint-Géry Island is named after the church. A legend holds that Géry built a chapel (to Saint Michael, later the Cathedral of St. Michael and St.