He was born in the 5th century at
Lichos, in the lower valley of the
River Saison, into a
Catholic family. During his youth, Catholics were persecuted by the
Arian Euric, king of the Visigoths (466-485). Euric's successor,
Alaric II (485-507), was tolerant towards them, permitting among other things the creation of Catholic bishoprics, including that of Oloron, of which Gratus was the first bishop. He took part in the
Council of Agde in 506, where 34 Catholic bishops of the Visigothic kingdom met under the chairmanship of Saint
Caesarius of Arles. In 507, the Visigoths were defeated by
Clovis at the
Battle of Vouillé. After the death of Clovis in 511, however, there was a still a strong Visigothic presence south of the
Garonne (
Aquitaine). Gratus is believed to have died at
Jaca during this period, from where his body was retrieved and brought to its place of permanent rest in
Oloron-Sainte-Marie. His feast day is 11 October. The Cathedral of Oloron-Sainte-Marie was decorated with five gilt and polychrome wooden panels depicting the scenes from the earth and heaven life of Saint Gratus ==Notes and references==