(ABOUT A.D. 712.)
[Arras Martyrology. Authority:--A Life by Balderic, bishop of Noyon.]
This saint was a disciple of S. Eligius. He was born at Bulcourt, in
Bapaume, about the year 620. He spent many years in seclusion on Mont
S. Eloi, where S. Eligius lived with ten others, in the practice of
great austerities. He was nominated by S. Aubert, bishop of Arras,
his vicargeneral. In 675, on the death of S. Aubert, he was elected
bishop of Cambrai and Arras. He completed, in 691, the abbey of S.
Waast, begun by his predecessor, dedicated the church of the monastery
of Elnone, and that of the abbey of Hasnon. S. Leger, bishop of Autun,
having been killed by Ebroin, mayor of the palace, and as the king,
Thierry III., was suspected of having connived at the deed, several
bishops deemed it expedient to remonstrate with the king, through some
one of authority and renown for his sanctity. Vindician was chosen
for this dangerous task, and he executed the commission with such
prudence and firmness, that he attracted the admiration of the court,
and succeeded in bringing the king to repentance. On his return to his
diocese, he built the monastery of Honcourt; and at last, wearied with
the cares of his diocese, he laid them aside, and retired, to be alone
with God, and prepare for his passage, into a hermitage on Mont S.
Eloi, and died at the age of ninety-two. His relics are preserved in
the cathedral of Arras.