Remigius, also known as Remi, one of the patron saints of France, was born around 438, the son of the Count of Laon. At the age of twenty- two he became Bishop of Rheims.

Noted for his learning and holiness of life, Remigius is chiefly remembered because he converted and baptized King Clovis of the Franks on Christmas Day, 496. This event changed the religious history of Europe. By becoming Catholic instead of Arian, as most of the Germanic people were at the time, Clovis was able to unite the Gallo-Roman population and their Christian leaders behind his expanding hegemony over the Germanic rulers of the West and to liberate Gaul from Roman domination. His conversion also made possible the cooperation the Franks gave later to Pope Gregory the Great in his evangelistic efforts for the English.

Certainly, Clovis’ motives in accepting Catholic Christianity were mixed, but there is no doubt of the sincerity of his decision, nor of the important role of Remigius in bringing it to pass. When Clovis was baptized, together with 3,000 of his followers, Remigius gave him the well-known charge: “Worship what you have burned, and burn what you have worshiped.”

The feast of Remigius is observed at Rheims on January 13th, possibly the date of his death. The later date of October 1st is derived from the translation of his relics to a new abbey church by Pope Leo IX in 1049.