The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

Gregory of Tours, Glory of the Martyrs

Overview:

(Ch. 1) Birth of Jesus Christ. On the well of *Mary (S00033) in Bethlehem and the star of the Magi that can be seen within it – see E00368.

(Ch. 2) Miracles of Jesus Christ. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 3) Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 4) Sending out of the Apostles, and the Assumption of the Virgin *Mary, with presence of the Archangel *Michael (S00181) – see E00369.

(Ch. 5) The Holy Cross is found by the empress *Helena (S00185); a fragment, with relics of martyrs and confessors, is brought to Poitiers by *Radegund (former queen and monastic founder, ob. 587, S00182) – see E00370. Gregory witnesses a miracle of these relics during a visit to the tomb of *Hilarius (bishop of Poitiers, ob. 367, S00183) – see E00371. Helena uses the nails of the Crucifixion, two in the bridle of *Constantine (emperor, ob. 337, S00186) and one in his statue in Constantinople – see E00372. A cloth which had wrapped a piece of the Holy Cross and relics of unnamed saints performs miracles in Tours – see E00385.

(Ch. 6) Relics of the Passion perform miracles, and so does the Lord's tomb. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 7) The tunic of the Lord is stored in the church of the *Archangels (S00191) in Germia (central Asia Minor) – see E00373.

(Ch. 8) Miracle during the construction of a church of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), probably in Jerusalem – see E00378. Miracle in an oratory housing the relics of Mary at Marsat in Gaul – see E00379.

(Ch. 9) Miracle of a Jewish boy saved by *Mary after he visits her church – see E00380. Mary miraculously supplies a monastery dedicated to her – see E00381.

(Ch. 10) Gregory extinguishes a fire with relics of *Mary, *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) and *Apostles (S00084) – see E00382.

(Ch. 11) Blood of *John the Baptist (S00020) is brought from the Holy Land to the church of Bazas – see E00386.

(Ch. 12) Miracles during and after a siege of Bazas: visions are witnessed and a miraculous gem appears. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 13) A woman brings the thumb of *John the Baptist (S00020) to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Drops of blood from the thumb are distributed to three bishoprics. A transfer of the thumb to Turin is prevented – see E00387.

(Ch. 14) Gregory deposits relics of *John the Baptist in an oratory at the church of *Martin (S00020) in Tours – see E00466.

(Ch. 15) A miracle in a church in Langeais near Tours, where relics of *John the Baptist are housed – see E00469.

(Ch. 16) On the river Jordan. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 17) On the hot springs and clothing of *Joshua (leader of the Israelites, S00258) in the Holy land – see E00470.

(Ch. 18) Relics of *Mary are brought from Jerusalem to Gaul and survive being thrown into the fire – see E00473.

(Ch. 19) Perjurers are punished at the altar of the church of *Mary and *John the Baptist in Tours – see E00474

(Ch. 20) On the statue of Christ in Paneas. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 21) An image of Christ bleeds after being stabbed by a Jew. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 22) On an image of Christ in a church in Narbonne, where relics of *Genesius (probably the notary and martyr of Arles, S00263) are housed – see E00476.

(Ch. 23) On a spring in the plain of Osset near Seville, that flows only at Easter. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 24) On people who profaned this holy place. Relics of *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030) are housed there – see E00490.

(Ch. 25) Another miracle at Osset: a thief is corrected. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 26) On the tomb of *James ('brother of the Lord', S00058), *Zechariah (father of John the Baptist S00597) and *Symeon (the God-receiver, elder of the temple of Jerusalem, S00285) at Jerusalem – see E00491

(Ch. 27) The imprints of the knees of the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008) in Rome – see E00493. The tomb of *Peter in the Vatican basilica, and the cult practices there – see E00494.

(Ch. 28) A miracle at the death of *Paul the Apostle and his saving of a suicide – see E00495.

(Ch. 29) The tomb of *John (the Apostle and Evangelist, S00042), at Ephesus and the 'manna' it produces – see E00496. The place where he wrote his Gospel, which is always dry – see E00498. Other holy places at Ephesus – the tombs of *Mary Magdalene (follower of Jesus, S00286), and of the *Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (S00287).

(Ch. 30) The manna and oil that flows from the tomb of *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288) at Patras – see E00502. Relics of *Andrew, *Saturninus (bishop and martyr of Toulouse, S00289) and *Vincent (deacon and martyr of Zaragoza and Valencia, S00290) in Burgundy and the Touraine – see E00503. An envoy from Gaul is healed at the tomb of *Andrew in Patras – see E00514.

(Ch. 31-32) The body of *Thomas (the Apostle, S00199) is taken from India to Edessa; miracles occur in both places, in Edessa around his feast day – see E00515.

(Ch. 33) Gregory enlarges an oratory of *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030) in Tours, and, with miraculous help, supplies it with relics of the saint – see E00516. Relics of the blood of *Stephen, with attendant miracle, in Bourges – see E00517. A woman has a vision of *Stephen, who has just saved a ship at sea, in the church of *Peter the Apostle (S00036) in Bordeaux – see E00518.

(Ch. 34) The body of *Bartholomew (the Apostle, S00256) floats miraculously from Asia to the island of Lipari, off Sicily, where a church is built over it – see E00533.

(Ch. 35) The tomb on the seabed of *Clement (bishop of Rome, martyr of the Crimea, S00111), which is miraculously exposed once a year – see E00535.

(Ch. 36) Relics of *Clement are brought to Limoges in Gaul and a miracle happens after a prayer by *Aredius (monastic founder in the Limousin, ob. 591, S00302) – E00356.

(Ch. 37) The tomb of *Chrysanthus and Daria (chaste couple and martyrs of Rome, S00306), and of the worshippers entombed with them; a theft is miraculously prevented – see E00357.

(Ch. 38) The tomb of *Pancratius (martyr of Rome, S00307), where perjury is prevented or punished – see E00358.

(Ch. 39) *John I (bishop of Rome, ob. 526, S00308) is tortured and dies at the hands of the Arian King Theodoric – see E00539.

(Ch. 40) Gregory recounts a story from Prudentius: how the presence of a Christian prevented an emperor from sacrificing successfully to pagan gods. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 41) On a church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Brioni (Italy), and its miraculously expanding wooden beam; part of this is taken to Limoges (Gaul) and received by *Aredius (monk of Limoges, ob. 591, S00302) – see E00540.

(Ch. 42) The martyrdom of *Cassianus (teacher and martyr of Imola, S00309), killed by his students with their pens – see E00938.

(Ch. 43) The tombs of *Agricola and Vitalis (master and slave, martyrs of Bologna, S00310), and two miracles that take place there – see E00541.

(Ch. 44) An imprisoned Gallic aristocrat flees from Milan to Clermont with the help of *Victor (Victor 'Maurus', soldier and martyr of Milan, S00312) – see E00542

(Ch. 45) A broken chalice is miraculously mended at the church of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037) in Milan – see E00543.

(Ch. 46) The discovery of the bodies of *Gervasius and *Protasius (martyrs of Milan, S00313), and the widespread distribution of relics of their blood in Italy and Gaul – E00544. *Nazarius and Celsus (martyrs of Milan, S00281), according to a written Martyrdom, were martyred and buried in Embrun (Gaul); a miraculous tree grew over their grave; there are relics of Genesius (notary and martyr of Arles, S00263) at Embrun – see E00478.

(Ch. 47) Relics of *Saturninus (bishop and martyr of Toulouse, S00289), are hosted near Brioude and sanctify the spot – see E00545. A monastic oratory of the saint is saved from expropriation – see E00546.

(Ch. 48) The martyrdom of the Forty-Eight *Martyrs of Lyon (S00316), the scattering and recovery of their ashes, and the building of their church – E00548.

(Ch. 49) *Irenaeus (bishop and martyr of Lyon, S02832), is buried next to *Epipodius and Alexander (martyrs of Lyon, S00318) – see E00570.

(Ch. 50) The discovery of the body of *Benignus (martyr of Dijon, S00320); a church is built, a Martyrdom discovered, and miracles occur – see E00573. Further miracles of Benignus, one involving an apparition of *Paschasia (religious woman of Dijon, S00320) – see E00574.

(Ch. 51) Relics and a reliquary of *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322) survive a fire – see E00575.

(Ch. 52) A perjurer is punished at the shrine of *Marcellus (martyr of Chalon-sur-Saône, S00323) – see E00576.

(Ch. 53) A count is healed after promising a beam for the church of *Valerianus (martyr of Tournus, S00324) – see E00577.

(Ch. 54) An unworthy woman is prevented from obtaining relics of *Timotheus and Apollinaris (martyrs of Reims, S00329) – see E00580.

(Ch. 55) The building of a church for *Eutropis (bishop and martyr of Saintes, S00332); his body and a vision confirm he was a martyr – see E00581.

(Ch. 56) The discovery of the tomb of *Amarandus (martyr of Albi, S00333), with veneration and miracles at the site – see E00582.

(Ch. 57) *Eugenius (exiled bishop of Carthage, ob. 505, S00334) is buried by the tomb of *Amarandus; a miracle at the fair on his feast day – see E00583.

(Ch. 58) A man is punished for stealing a glass window from a church in Yzeures. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 59) A vision, during a siege, of processions coming from the churches of *Rogatianus and Donatus (martyrs of Nantes, S00335), and *Similinus (bishop of Nantes, ob. mid 4th c., S00337) – see E00584.

(Ch. 60) *Nazarius (martyr of Milan, S00281) punishes a theft from a church near Nantes – see E00585.

(Ch. 61) A cure effected by relics from the burial place of some of the *Theban Legion (soldiers and martyrs of Agaunum, S00339) in Cologne – see E00586.

(Ch. 62) The building of a church of *Mallosus (martyr of Xanten, S00340) and the discovery of his body;*Victor (martyr of Xanten, S00341) is buried in the same church – see E00587.

(Ch. 63) An oratory of *Patroclus (martyr of Troyes, S00346), the discovery of a Martyrdom of the saint, the building of a church, and the celebration of an annual feast – see E00588

(Ch. 64) The construction of a church of *Antolianus (martyr of Clermont, S00347), and its eventual collapse, but without the expected loss of life and materials. A brief mention of Gregory's Miracles of *Julian (martyr of Brioude, S00035) – see E00604.

(Ch. 65) The punishment of theft from an oratory in the territory of Clermont with relics of *Saturninus (bishop and martyr of Toulouse, S00289) – see E00605.

(Ch. 66) The discovery of the tomb of *Genesius (martyr of Thiers, S00265), the building of his church, institution of his feast and the deposition of relics of *Genesius (notary and martyr of Arles, S00263) – see E00479.

(Ch. 67-68) The miraculous tree at the place of martyrdom of *Genesius (notary and martyr of Arles, S00263), and three miracles of the saint, one on the Rhône on the day of his feast – see E00480.

(Ch. 69) On a woman miraculously saved from an ordeal. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 70) Gregory's brother-in-law is healed by an infusion from a leaf collected at the grave of *Ferreolus and Ferrucio (martyrs of Besançon, S00348) – see E00606.

(Ch. 71) The punishment of two men stealing from the tomb of *Dionysius/Denis (bishop and martyr of Paris, S00349) – see E00607.

(Ch. 72) The discovery of the body of *Quintinus (martyr of Saint-Quentin, S00379), and two miracles of the saint – see E00620.

(Ch. 73) *Genesius (priest and martyr of Tarbes, S00266), who brought a tree back to life, and at whose feast a withered flower revives – see E00481.

(Ch. 74) The penance and burial of *Sigismund (king of the Burgundians, ob. 523, S00380), at the shrine of the *Theban Legion (soldiers and martyrs of Agaunum, S00339); healing miracles at his tomb – see E00621.

(Ch. 75) Two miracles at the tomb of the martyrs of the *Theban Legion and its commander Maurice (soldiers and martyrs of Agaunum, S00339) – see E00622.

(Ch. 76) The sick and possessed are cured at the tomb of *Victor (martyr of Marseille, S00382) – see E00623.

(Ch. 77) The miraculous power of leaves from a tree at the grave of *Baudilius (martyr of Nîmes, S00383); and how the saint saved two priests of Nîmes – see E00624.

(Ch. 78) Relics of *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288) in the cathedral at Agde; a count is punished for stealing a property of the church – see E00625.

(Ch. 79-80) Catholic priests demonstrate their superior power over their Arian counterparts. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 81) A Catholic priest is tortured for his faith in Visigothic Spain. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 82) Relics of *Apostles (S00084), *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037), *Chrysanthus and Daria (chaste couple and martyrs of Rome, S00306), and *Iohannes and Paulus (brothers and eunuchs, martyrs of Rome under the emperor Julian, S00384) save a deacon of Gregory's from shipwreck when carrying them from Rome to Marseille – see E00626.

(Ch. 83) The relics owned by Gregory's family, and their use by his father, his mother and himself – see E00627.

(Ch. 84) On a man who washed his feet in a paten belonging to a church. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 85) A miracle regarding an impure priest at Riom on the feast of *Polycarp (bishop and martyr of Smyrna, S00004) – see E00628.

(Ch. 86) The priest who drank wine during the vigils of Christmas; Gregory himself is admonished in visions on the same vigils. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 87) How the waters of the Jordan shunned a wicked prostitute. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 88) A sarcophagus is expelled from a church in Toulouse of *Vincent (deacon and martyr of Zaragoza and Valencia, S00290) – see E00629.

(Ch. 89) Three miracles of *Vincentius (deacon and martyr of Zaragoza and Valencia, S00290), in one his feast is celebrated on the wrong day, in another relics are stolen and sold – see E00639.

(Ch. 90) Trees miraculously blossom in midwinter at the feast of *Eulalia (virgin and martyr of Mérida, S00407) – see E00640.

(Ch. 91) Two miracles of *Felix (martyr of Gerona, S00408), one in Gerona, one in Narbonne – see E00641 and E00642.

(Ch. 92) A miracle at the martyrdom of *Emeterius and Celidonius (soldiers and martyrs of Calahorra, S00410) – see E00643.

(Ch. 93) On the wondrous pulpit in the church in Carthage of *Cyprian (bishop and martyr of Carthage, S00411) – see E00646.

(Ch. 94) The story of the *Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (S00287) – see E00647.

(Ch. 95) The martyrdom of 'forty-eight martyrs of Armenia', certainly the *Forty Martyrs of Sebaste (S00103), and the miraculous recovery of their relics – see E00648.

(Ch. 96) *Sergius (soldier and martyr of Rusafa, S00023) prevents a stolen chicken from cooking – see E00649.

(Ch. 97) *Cosmas and Damianus (brothers, physician martyrs of Syria, S00385), great healers in life and after death – see E00650.

(Ch. 98) The shrine of *Phokas (martyr of Antioch, S00413) in Syria, where snake bites are cured – see E00651.

(Ch. 99) The shrine of *Domitius/Dometios (monk of Syria, later 4th c., S00414), who cures sciatica, in the case of a Jew, converting him too – see E00652.

(Ch. 100) Miracles effected by relics of *George (soldier and martyr, S00259) in the territories of Limoges and Le Mans – see E00653.

(Ch. 101) A miraculous light at the shrine of *Isidoros (soldier and martyr of Chios, S00425) – see E00654.

(Ch. 102) Juliana's church in Constantinople of *Polyeuktos (soldier and martyr of Melitene, S00325); he is powerful at thwarting perjury – see E00655.

(Ch. 103) The life and two posthumous miracles of *Felix (priest and confessor of Nola, S00000) – see E00656.

(Ch. 104) *Vincentius (martyr of Agen, S00432) punishes soldiers who broke into his church at Agen – see E00658.

(Ch. 105) On the life and death of an avaricious woman. [Not entered in the database]

(Ch. 106) Considerations on how we should imitate the martyrs and how they can help us – see E00660.


Summary: Marta Tycner.

Composing and translating saint-related texts

Ecclesiastics - bishops

Source

Bibliography