Serenicus was a 7th-century Benedictine monk born to a noble family in Umbria. Seeking a life of penance and contemplation, he traveled to the province of Maine alongside his brother, Serenidus. After initially living as an ascetic hermit near Saulges, he eventually settled in the Orne region. There, he became an evangelist and established a monastery and a chapel dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, which significantly influenced the local area.
Life and work
Following his arrival in Gaul during the reign of Clovis II, Serenicus lived as a hermit before moving near the Sarthe river. In this location, he gathered disciples and founded a monastic community. The church he built was completed by the Bishop of Sées, Milehard. Local tradition suggests that a spring emerged near the river following his prayers, providing water to quench his thirst during his travels.
Veneration and legacy
He is recognized as a saint and is commemorated on May 7, often alongside his brother Serenidus. The village in Orne where he founded his monastery eventually adopted his name, becoming Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei. As a patron, he is invoked for relief from infertility, colic, and skin diseases, while the spring associated with him is believed to possess healing properties for eye ailments.