Theodore of Marseille

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Theodore (Latin: Theodorus) was the bishop of Marseille from at least 566 until about 591–594. In the 580s he became a focal point in a power struggle between King Guntram and his nephew Childebert II. He was arrested several times. Gregory of Tours describes him as a saintly but powerless figure, loved by the laity but opposed by his own clergy. Venantius Fortunatus mentions him in a 566 poem as greeting his bishop and his metropolitan Sapaudus of Arles.

Marseille was a major Mediterranean port in Merovingian Gaul. In 581, while on his way to Childebert’s court, Theodore was arrested by Dynamius, the governor of Provence (the former governor Jovinus was arrested at the same time). The clergy of Marseille acted as if he were dead. The charges are unknown and were dropped; he was escorted back to the city by Duke Gundulf, a supporter of Childebert. Dynamius then accused him of plotting against Guntram and had him arrested again. He was sent to Guntram, but the charges were dropped and he was released.

In 582 Gundovald, a claimant to the throne backed by Byzantium, landed at Marseille and was greeted by Theodore; for this, he was arrested on treason charges by Guntram Boso, who said Theodore acted on Childebert’s orders. Although he was acquitted before Guntram, Theodore stayed in prison for a time. He was back in Marseille by 585, when Guntram accused him of involvement in the assassination of Chilperic I the previous year. Childebert had his duke Rathar arrest Theodore and send him to Guntram, who planned to exile him. Guntram called a synod at Troyes, but many bishops from Childebert’s kingdom did not attend because of Theodore’s case, and Childebert is said to have opposed the prosecution. Later in 585, Theodore attended the synod at Mâcon called by Guntram to discuss his case. When Guntram fell ill, Theodore was released.

In June 591, Pope Gregory I wrote to Theodore and Virgilius of Arles, ordering them to stop forcing Jews in Marseille to be baptized. The diocese of Marseille remembers Theodore as a saint; his feast is on February 3. He is listed as January 2 in the 2004 Roman Martyrology, but is not in the General Roman Calendar.