Brice of Tours

Brice of Tours was trained at the monastery of Tours under the tutelage of Saint Martin, who took him in and protected him. Despite the reservations of Martin's entourage regarding Brice's luxurious lifestyle – Brice preferred "to live with beautiful horses in his stables and pretty slaves in his house" – Martin chose him to succeed him, responding: "If Christ bore with Judas, I can surely bear with Brice." After Saint Martin's death in 397, Brice succeeded him as Bishop of Tours, a position he held for 33 years (until 430), and then again after his exile until his death in 444.

His episcopate was marked by controversies. Around 430, as an old man, he was accused of having impregnated one of his servants. Slandered and expelled from Tours by his flock, he had to go to Rome to plead his innocence, which he obtained by ordeal. During his seven-year exile (430-437), two successive bishops, Justinianus and then Armentius, occupied his see. Upon his return to Tours, the death of his successor allowed Brice to resume his duties. He served the Church faithfully until his death in 444.

Immediately after his death, he was canonized and buried next to his benefactor, Saint Martin. Gregory of Tours, his biographer, recounts his work and had his relics transferred to Clermont-Ferrand in 580. His cult spread, particularly in Lorraine and Barrois, where the church of Saulny is dedicated to him. Brice is celebrated on November 13 and is the patron saint of judges. Places like Saint-Brisson and Saint-Brès bear witness to the persistence of his cult. He is also associated with the construction of the Basilica of Saint Martin in Tours.