Saint Pienzo di Poitiers

Pientius (6th century – Poitiers, c. 564) was Bishop of Poitiers in the mid-6th century and is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. According to the various episcopal lists of Poitiers summarized by Louis Duchesne, Pientius was the 27th bishop of the diocese, but only the 4th historically documented since Saint Hilary. The exact year Pientius became bishop is unknown. His predecessor, Daniel, is attested only once, during his participation in the Council of Orléans in 541. The life of Saint Radegund recounts that Bishop Pientius and Duke Austrapius provided significant assistance to the saint in building her monastery in Poitiers; this event is chronologically placed around 544, a time when Pientius had already succeeded Daniel. Little else is known about this saint. According to Gregory of Tours in his *Historia Francorum*, after the death of Chlothar I († 561), Austrapius was named his successor and ordained bishop, but he decided to retire to *apud Sellense castrum* (Champtoceaux) and await the death of Pientius before taking possession of the diocese. Pientius's death is placed at approximately 564, although there is no certain data regarding this event. According to the *Chronicon Malleacensis insulae*, during his episcopate, Pientius built a church in Maille, which became a place of pilgrimage in his honor after his death. The current Roman Martyrology, reformed according to the decrees of the Second Vatican Council, includes the memorial of Saint Pientius on March 13, commemorating him with these words: