formerly an important diocese in Gaul, with a bishop as early as the 3rd century; the diocese was suppressed in 1821. A council held at Auxerre in 585 (or 578) under bishop Annacharius formulated forty-five canons, closely related in context to canons of the contemporary first and second Councils of Lyon and the Council of Mâcon. "They are important as illustrating life and manners among the newly-converted Teutonic tribes and the Gallo-Romans of the time", the Catholic Encyclopedia asserts. Many of the decrees were directed against remnants of paganism and non-Christian customs; others bore witness to the persistence in the early Middle Ages in France of certain ancient Christian customs. The canons of the council of 695 or 697 were concerned chiefly with the Divine Office and ecclesiastical ceremonies. See also: Saint Germanus of Auxerre, bishop of Auxerre (died 448) Desiderius of Auxerre, bishop, died 621) Remigius of Auxerre, theologian and teacher (died 908) William of Auxerre, theologian (1140/50–1231) See also List of Gothic Cathedrals in Europe French Gothic architecture French Gothic stained glass windows References Bibliography External links "Welcome to Auxerre Cathedral" Auxerre Cathedral bibliography Photos Catholic Encyclopedia 1908: "Councils of Auxerre" "(Sens):Diocese of Auxerre" High-resolution 360° Panoramas and Images of Auxerre Cathedral | Art Atlas Auxerre Churches in Yonne