Vindicianus

Who was Vindicianus?

Saint Vindicianus was a bishop of Cambrai-Arras. His feast day is 11 March. He is called a spiritual follower of Saint Eligius.

Traditionally, his birthplace is given as Bullecourt, near Bapaume. This is the birthplace indicated in the documents dating much later than the saint's death, but which claim to reproduce an ancient local tradition. Nothing is known of his early years.

On the death of St. Aubert, Bishop of Cambrai-Arras, Vindicianus was elected his successor. In any case he was bishop of this see in the reign of Thierry III of Neustria. The author of the Gesta episcoporum Cameracensium declares that he didn't know the duration of the episcopate of Vindicianus.

Legend has crept into the history of the holy bishop, but the following facts may be regarded as certain.

In 673 Vindicianus supervised the translation of the body of St. Maxellende to Caudri. In the same year he consecrated the monastery of Honnecourt sur l'Escaut, which was given in 685 to St. Bertin. In 675 he signed a charter of donation in favour of the abbey at Maroilles, rendered illustrious by St. Humbert. In the same year he consecrated the church at Hasnon. He was probably in relation with St.