Magneric was born and grew up in Trier, Germany. Not much is known about his early life. Once installed as bishop, he continued the work begun by his predecessor of restoring the city of Trier and its environs. He founded several clerical communities, including St. Eucharius and St. Paulin. He had a great devotion to
Saint Martin of Tours, and built several monasteries and churches dedicated to him. He converted the Holy Cross Church in Trier to an
oratory in honour of St Martin; it later became the
Abbey of St. Martin or the Deumelberg. Other churches Magneric dedicated to St Martin are in
Yvois,
Karden on the Moselle, and a second one in Trier. He gave sanctuary to bishop
Theodore of Marseille when he was exiled by
Guntram in 585, and pleaded with King
Childebert II on behalf of the bishop. He lived in the residence of bishop
Nicetius, and accompanied the bishop into exile when Nicetius was banished by King
Chlothar I. This was an act of revenge for the King being excommunicated. Magneric returned to Trier the next year. He was ordained by Nicetius in 566. Magneric was close to the Merovingian royal house and Childebert II, who made him godfather of his son
Theudebert II in 586. In 587 he attended a family congress of kings Childebert and Guntram, which nearly cost him his life. At the meeting, Duke Gontran Boson, who had been condemned by the King, fled to his house and took the Bishop hostage. The house was set on fire at the King's command. The proximity to the Merovingian family and his influence on the fortunes of Austrasia and the Gallic Church helped him maintain urban and regional domination until his death. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Martin's Abbey in Trier. Around the year 1000 Abbot Eberwin wrote a hagiography of the Bishop, whereupon his worship spread throughout Lorraine. In 1506 his grave was opened, and after the destruction of the church his remains disappeared. ==Notes==