Career
According to tradition, Reverianus was of Italian origin, he was sent by Pope Felix I to evangelize the Aedui, a Gallic people of Gallia Lugdunensis and is considered the “apostle of the Morvan.”
According to Usuard, he was persecuted during the reign of the Emperor Aurelian. According to tradition, Reverianus’ preaching and conversions came to the attention of Emperor Aurelian, who was visiting the province of Sens at the time. Also executed with Reverianus were his companion, named Saint Paul or Paulus of Autun, along with 10 other followers.
According to one source, “the name is not mentioned by earlier writers, and the first bishop of Autun seems to have been Reticius, who was present at the Synod of Rome Anno Domini 313, and at Arles in the following year.” Reverianus may have been revered as a bishop because he was the leader of this group of preachers.
He may not have been executed at Autun itself but at the site of the town named after him. According to a tradition at Nevers, Reverianus was executed outside of the city walls of that city.
This monastic cell became in 866 the oratory of Saint Révérien, which was granted by Charles the Fat to the chapter of Nevers. lieutenant had been previously under the jurisdiction of the Benedictines of the Abbey of Saint Martin d"Autun.
In 1076, this monastery became affiliated with Abbey of Cluny.
In the 13th century, the present church of Saint Révérien was built according to the Cluniac style. Of his relics, only a piece of Reverianus’ head have been preserved. The relic was kept at Villy-le-Moutier (in the Canton of Nuits-Saint-Georges), a village to the east of the city of Beaune.
Until 1836, Reverianus’ head was carried in procession to the church of Saint-Nicolas de Beaune during times of great drought.
Crowds from the city and the surrounding areas would pray for rain.
