Rheims Cathedral, France. (Part Four).

Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopædia,
unless stated otherwise.

Please note: “Reims” (French) is often spelled “Rheims” in English.

The Nave,

Rheims Cathedral, France.

Photo: 20 April 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Johan Bakker

(Wikimedia Commons)

In 2011, the City of Reims celebrated the Cathedral’s 800th anniversary. The celebrations ran from 6 May to 23 October. Concerts, street performances, exhibitions, conferences, and a series of evening Light Shows highlighted the Cathedral and its 800th anniversary.

In addition, six new Stained-Glass Windows, designed by Imi Knoebel, a German artist, were inaugurated on 25 June 2011. The six Windows cover an area of 128m² and are positioned on both sides of the Chagall Windows in the Apse of the Cathedral.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Reims (Latin: Archidiœcesis Remensis) is an Archdiocese of The Latin Rite of The Roman Catholic Church in France. Erected as a Diocese around 250 A.D., by Saint Sixtus, the Diocese was Elevated to an Archdiocese around 750 A.D. The Archbishop received the Title “Primate of Gallia Belgica” in 1089.

Rheims Cathedral, France.

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In 1023, Archbishop Ebles acquired the Countship of Reims, making him a Prince-Bishop; it became a Duchy and a Peerage between 1060 and 1170.

The archdiocese comprises the arrondissement of Reims and the département of Ardennes, while the province comprises the région of Champagne-Ardenne. The Suffragan Dioceses within Reims are Amiens, Beauvais-Noyon-Senlis, Châlons, Langres, Soissons–Laon–Saint-Quentin, and Troyes. The Archepiscopal See is located in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Reims, where the Kings of France were traditionally crowned.

Reims, located in the North-East of France, hosted several Councils, or Synods, in The Roman Catholic Church. These Councils did not universally represent The Church and are not counted among the official Ecumenical Councils.

English: The Chalice of Saint Remigius.

Used in the Coronations of French Kings.

Français: Calice du sacre,fin du XIIème siècle, Palais du Tau,Trésor de la cathédrale de Reims. Or, émaux, perles, pierres fines et pierres précieuses. Il fut envoyé à la fonte à la Monnaie de Paris et heureusement oublié, puis exposé au Musée des Antiques de la Bibliothèque Nationale à Paris. Il fut renvoyé à Reims en 1861, sous Napoléon III.

Photo: 15 March 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Vassil

(Wikimedia Commons)

The first Synod, said to have been held at Rheims by Archbishop Sonnatius, 624 A.D. - 630 A.D., is probably identical with that held at Clichy (Clippiacum) in 626 A.D. or 627 A.D.

In 813 A.D., Archbishop Wulfar presided at a Synod of Reform (“Werminghoff” in “Mon. Germ. Hist.: Concilia aevi Carol. I”, I, Hanover, 1904, 253 sq.).

A Council, usually called the Synod of Saint Basle, was convoked at Rheims by King Hugues Capet, assisted by Gerbert of Aurillac, later Pope Sylvester II, to consider the case of Arnulf, Archbishop of Rheims, illegitimate son of the Late King Lothair.

Flying Buttresses,

Rheims Cathedral, France.

Photo: 16 November 2004.

Source: Own work.

Author: Magnus Manske

(Wikimedia Commons)

Arnulf was accused of conspiring with his uncle, Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, against Hugues Capet. He was duly deposed by the Council, and Gerbert appointed in his place. This was done without the approval of Pope John XV, who refused to accept either Arnulf’s removal or Gerbert’s appointment. The matter dragged on until 995 A.D., when Arnulf was restored, and was only completely resolved by Pope Gregory V in 997 A.D.

Held by Pope Leo IX, the Council of Rheims in 1049 enquired into Simony. Hugo of Breteuil, Bishop of Langres, fled the proceedings, and was deposed. According to Eamon Duffy: “In one week, Pope Leo IX had asserted Papal authority as it had never been asserted before”. The Council also excommunicated Geoffrey Martel, for the imprisonment of Gervase, Bishop of Le Mans.

On 3 October 1054, a Rheims Council had a Dogmatic Declaration about the Primacy of The Roman Pontiff as Successor of Peter: “Declaratum est quod solus Romanæ sedis pontifex universalis Ecclesiæ Primas esset et Apostolicus”.

THIS CONCLUDES THE ARTICLE ON RHEIMS CATHEDRAL.