Saint Nicetius (Nicetus, Nicet or Nizier) (513 – April 2, 573) was Archbishop of Lyon, then Lugdunum, France, during the 6th century. He served from 552 or 553 and St Nizier's church is named for him.
The first religious building on the site of the present church was perhaps a Roman temple of Attis, whose worship was probably the cause of the Christian persecution in Lyon from 177. There have been churches there ever since. The church suffered damage caused by several bands of Huguenot, which plundered the bishops of Lyon's tombs, then those of the French Revolution. After the French Revolution, the church served as flour warehouse.
And once this church in Lyon has significance for us in New Zealand.
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Blessed Frederic Ozanam, founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society was married in the Church of Nizier |
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Pauline Jaricot was a pioneer of organized missionary co-operation. With the women employees in the silk factory run by her sister and brother-in-law, she resolved to help the missions with prayers and a small weekly contribution of one penny a week from each person involved. The seed grew and other groups joined to help all missions. This eventually led to the founding of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in 1822, dedicated to helping missionary efforts worldwide. |
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And most significant for us in New Zealand, St Nizier was the parish church of Suzanne Aubert |