| Saint Dalmatius of Rodez | |
| Death Date: | c. 580 AD |
| Feast Day: | November 13 |
| Venerated In: | Roman Catholic Church |
| Titles: | Bishop |
Saint Dalmatius of Rodez (French: Saint Dalmas, Dalmace) was a bishop of Rodez from 524 to 580.[1] [2]
Dalmatius was born in the late 400s in Gaul; he became bishop of Rodez in 524 at a relatively young man age. He is considered by the Catholic Church to have suffered at the hands of Amalaric, who was a follower of Arianism. In 535, Dalmatius attended the Council of Arvernum,[3] which among its sixteen decrees, held that the granting of episcopal dignity must be according to the merits and not as a result of intrigues. In 541, he attended the Fourth Council of Orléans and on his return made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Martin of Tours.[4]
Gregory of Tours reports that Dalmatius built a church, but tore it down so often for improvements, that it was left unfinished at his death. Dalmatius' testament requested from Childebert II that the bishop's successor not be a stranger to the see, or covetous, or married. His successor should be someone who spent all of his time praising God.[5] His feast day is November 13.[6]