In 499, the Franks and Burgundians were at war. Vienne was
taken by the Burgundians. Avitus was able to meet with both Gundobad of the
Burgundians and Clovis of the Franks. Avitus seems to have had a skill for
negotiating, because he also oversaw a conference between Catholic and Arian
bishops at that time. Gundobad, being in the region, witnessed the bishops’
conference. Avitus and the Catholic bishops won over Gundobad and his son,
Sigismund, who converted. Clovis also converted to Christianity. Avitus was
known for working hard to unify fractions of the Church—Arian and Catholic,
Eastern and Western.
Avitus was also a skilled writer. He wrote numerous letters
and poems. His rhetoric was studied in schools in Gaul in the 4th and 5th centuries, and he is considered to be one of the influences
on Milton. His letters provide rich source material for Merovingian history,
including the accounts of the Burgundian and Frankish kings’ conversions.
St. Avitus died sometime between 517 and 519. His feast day is
Feb. 5.
