Saint Theodard of Maastricht

Theodard of Maastricht (also Theodard of Tongeren) was a 7th-century bishop of Maastricht-Liège, in present-day Netherlands. As Theodard was murdered while on his way to protest the plundering of his diocese by Frankish nobles, he is considered a martyr. His feast day is 10 September. Theodard was uncle to his successor Lambert of Maastricht, and therefore brother or brother-in-law to Robert II, Lord Chancellor of France. What little we know about Theodard comes from a seventh century biography, probably written by Heriger of Lobbes. There is also a later biography by Anselm of Liège. Theodard (known as also Diethardt or Dodart) was born around 602 in the area of Speyer in the Palatinate. He is thought to have been a disciple of Remaclus at the monastery of Stavelot in Belgium. When Remaclus became bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht in around 653, Theodard succeeded him as abbot of the double monastery of Stavelot-Malmedy. When Remaclus retired to Stavelot in 663, Theodard succeeded him as bishop of Maastricht. His biographers describe him as a cheerful and likeable person who performed his role as bishop with great energy and pastoral care. As bishop, he built and restored churches, founded monasteries, promoted evangelization, and charity. He was murdered, probably c.670, while on a journey through the forest of Bienwald south of Speyer, close to the village of Rülzheim, on his way to seek justice from Childeric II of Austrasia in a legal dispute regarding Frankish nobles plundering the diocese. It is generally suspected that the murder was carried out on behalf of the nobles. At first buried at the scene in Rülzheim, his body was later transferred to Liege by his nephew and successor, Lambert of Maastricht. Because he was murdered on his way to defend the rights of the Church, he was honored as a martyr. A chapel was built at his place of death and original burial in Rülzheim, called the "Dieterskirchel".