Eparcus, commonly called Cybar, quitted the world in spite of his
parents, who would hinder him to follow his vocation; and retiring
to the monastery of Sedaciac in Perigord, he there served God some
time under abbot Martin, and soon became known and admired for his
extraordinary virtues and miracles. Wherefore, in dread of the
seduction of vain-glory, he left his monastery to hide himself
in absolute solitude. It was near Angouleme, with the bishop of
Perigueux’s and his abbot’s leave, he shut himself up in a cell. But
his virtues were too striking for concealment, and the bishop of
Angouleme obliged him to accept the priesthood. Cybar was extremely
austere in his food and apparel, especially during Lent. Although a
recluse, he did not refuse to admit disciples; but he would not allow
them manual labor, as, after his own example, he willed they should
be constantly occupied in prayer. When any of them would complain for
want of necessaries, he would tell them with St. Jerom, that “Faith
never feared hunger.” Nor was he deceived in his trust on Providence,
as he always found abundance for himself and his disciples in the
beneficence of the faithful; insomuch that he was even enabled to
redeem a great number of captives. He died the 1st of July, 581,
having lived about forty years in his cell. His relics were kept in
the abbey church of his name until 1568, when they were burnt by the
Huguenots. See Mabillon, Act. t. 1, p. 267; Bulteau, Histoire de
l’Ordre de St. Benoit, t. 1, p. 235; Gallia Chr. Nov. t. 2, p. 978,
979, &c.