Lazarus of Aix was a 5th-century prelate who served as the first documented bishop of Aix-en-Provence. Appointed to his position in 408 by the emperor Constantine III, his tenure ended when the emperor was deposed in 411. Following his removal from office, he traveled to Palestine alongside Heros of Arles. He eventually returned to Marseille, where he passed away in August 441.
Life and career
After losing his bishopric following the political downfall of Constantine III, Lazarus spent several years living in Palestine. He later moved to Marseille, the location of his death. His ecclesiastical career was deeply tied to the shifting political landscape of the era, as his initial appointment was made by a usurper emperor.
Veneration and relics
He is recognized as a saint, a status often attributed to a historical confusion with the biblical Lazarus. His remains are distributed between different locations, with some relics held at the Abbey of St. Victor in Marseille, where his epitaph remains. Other relics are located in Autun Cathedral, which is dedicated to his memory.