The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

Venantius Fortunatus, Life of Hilarius (BHL 3885)


Dedication and Preface:

I. (1) DOMINO SANCTO ET MERITIS BEATISSIMO PATRI PASCENTIO PAPAE FORTVNATVS.

Religiosi pectoris studio sollicitante commonitus, quo, papa beatissime, divinis in actibus sacri conversatione propositi iugiter exercitaris intentus et intendis exertus, ut facile sit perspicuum ad culturam ecclesiasticae disciplinae et fuisse te genitum et esse provectum: inrefragabiliter veteris dispositionis ac catholici dogmatis fundamentum custos observans et ad aedificationem plebis amantissimae veluti bonus instructor adiciendo aliquid culmen fabricae continuare festinans non sine timore divino.

(2) Cuius operis amore praeventus eo usque me dignatus es perurguere, quo de actibus sacratissimi viri Hilarii confessoris, qui te ab ipsis cunabulis ante sua vestigia quasi peculiarem vernulam familiariter enutrivit, ut impensi muneris vel verba rependeres, ideo etsi non plena vel ex parte complexa perstringerem : quatinus dum sui gregis auribus vox quodam modo et vita pastoris antiquissimi resonaret, et ille probaret ministerium et ipse non celares affectum. [II]

II. (3) Sed cum mei ingenii brevitatem mensuro, adeo beati Hilarii immensitatem fortem cognosco, ut pene mihi videatur aequale tam istud posse dicere quam digito caelum tangere, praesertim quod etiam ut audio beati Hieronymi torrens illud eloquium recusaverit attemptare, qui materiae eius se imparem eatenus iudicaverit, ut taceret.

(4) Ego vero cui nullius scientiae inrigua fluenta succurrunt, quem vix stillicidii pauperis attenuata gutta perfudit, nihil proprio de fonte respirans, qua temeritate inter ingentia flumina Eufraten Hilarii et Nilum Hieronymi siccos velim cursus extendere, cum de illo etiam doctissimi viri quicquid dicere potuerunt, minus est quam meretur, et virum sanctissimum consultius mihi sit mirari quam loqui? Aequabilius fuerat haec beato Ambrosio de fratre scribenda mandare, cui verba virtutibus coniuncta florebant.

(5) Sed ne protracta pagina fastidium potius generet quam provocet auditorem, etsi eum mea verecundia vobis quidem oboedientiam et illi impendo de quo non digne loquor iniuriam, sed concedi veniam credimus quod devotione peccamus. nunc de eius vita proponamus.

Hilary's Life:

III. (6) Igitur beatus Hilarius Pictavorum urbis episcopus regionis Aquitaniae oriundus, quae ab oceano Britannico fere milia nonaginta seiungitur, apud Gallicanas familias nobilitatis lampade non obscurus, immo magis prae ceteris gratia generositatis ornatus, nitore pectoris addito, quasi refulgens lucifer inter astra processit.

(7) Cuius a cunabulis tanta sapientia primitiva laetabatur infantia, ut iam tunc potuisset intellegi, Christum in Suis causis pro obtinenda victoria necessarium sibi iussisse militem propagari.

(8) Denique coniugem habens et filiam ita plenitudine domini venerabiles animos ecclesiasticae regulae tradidit informandos, ut adhuc in laicali proposito constitutus divino nutu pontificis gratiam possideret: ita se ipsum propria disciplina cohercebat intentus quasi futuram speciem indicans, ut inreprehensibilis in templo Christi praepararetur Sacerdos.

(9) Nam quod inter mortales valde videtur difficile, tam cautum esse, qui se a Iudaeis vel haereticis cibo suspendat, adeo vir sanctissimus hostes catholicae religionis abhorruit, ut non dicam convivium sed neque salutatio fuerit cum his praetereunti communis. Vitabat haee Davitico suffultus exemplo, ne cum haereticis mensae participando fieret illi in scandalum.

(10) O quam perfectissimum laicum, cuius imitatores ipsi esse desiderant sacerdotes, cui non fuit aliud vivere nisi Christum eum dilectione timere et eum timore diligere, quem sequentes currunt ad gloriam divertentes ad poenam, credenti succedunt praemia recusanti tormenta!

(11) Qui tamen nunc illos de pio religionis opere commonens, nunc alios de confessione inaestimabilis sanctae trinitatis informans, nunc reliquos promissione regni caelestis invitans, non cessabat in plebe verba veritatis fructu fidei redundantia seminare.

IV. (12) Quo cognito de sancto Hilario, quoniam tantum lumen etsi voluisset latere non posset, quippe necessarius, ut alienas tenebras in lucem transferret, concordante favore populi aut potius dei spiritu proclamante, vir olim mysteriis deputatus aliquando sacris altaribus sacerdos electus est.

(13) Crescebat in eo cotidie opinio famulatrix virtutum nec erat eius fama contenta circumiectas tantum Gallias inlustrare sed exteras nationes et regiones implebat. Meritorum gratia percurrente id actum est, ut toto orbe velociter beati pontificis gloria militaret.

V (14) Igitur Constantii imperatoris tempore eum Arriana haeresis venenata de radice flore toxico pullularet, tune vir sanctissimus timore nudus fidei fervore vestitus quasi signifer belligerator per medias acies inter hostiles fremitus inter haereticos gladios se ingerebat, Christi caritate securus, nihil de sua morte formidans, illud solum metuens, quod absit, praeiudicio religionis inlato ne viveret.

(15) Hinc a Valente et Vrsatio, qui prava credulitate ecclesiam dei turbare pertinaciter insistebant, imperatori persuasum est, ut virum eruditissimum de quo loquimur et Dionysium Mediolanensem et Eusebium Vercellensem exilio condemnaret. Nihil enim poterat ante insuperabilem sancti Hilarii facundiam haereticus obtinere.

(16) Sperans hostis fidei aliquas se nebulas splendori catholico posse praetendere, si retrusus exilio talis vir a certamine defuisset: quoniam, ut dictum est, quis perversus voluit confligere ae si mutus et claudus nec verba poterat proferre nec currere, sed quasi natans in pelagis ante fluctum eius eloquentiae mergebatur.

(17) Itaque in Frigia Asiae regione missus exilio ad virtutis augmentum gratias egit, quia quantum pro nomine Christi longius discedebat de solo proprio tantum merebatur fieri vicinior caelo. [VI] Qui dum ad locum pervenisset optabilem, nobis tacendum non est quod illi concessum est.

(18) Nam et eo tempore sancto sibi spiritu revelante cognovit, eo quod beatissimam Abram filiam suam, quam cum matre Pictavis reliquerat, quidam iuvenis nobilissimus praedives pulcherrimus coniugii vinculo sibi quaereret annectendam. Sed ipse interventu orationis assiduae caelestem illi sponsum sine contaminatione providerat.

(19) Mox oportunitate reperta manu propria subscriptam filiae direxit epistolam, sufficienti sale conditam et velut aromaticis unguentis infusam, quae tenetur Pictavis pro munere conservata: indicans ei, eo quod talem sponsum pater anxius providisset, cuius nobilitas caelos ascenderet, pulchritudo rosarum et lilii comparationem praecederet, oculi gemmarum lumina luminarent, vestis candorem nivis opprimeret, ornamenta inaestimabili fulgore vernarent, divitiae intra se regna concluderent, sapientia incomprehensibilis emineret, dulcedo favi mella postponeret, pudicitia incontaminata persisteret, odor suavitate flagraret, thesauri sine defectione constarent.

(20) Addens ergo monitis, ut filia nulli se prius male divisa coniungeret, quam ut patrem exspectaret pollicentem et sponsum pariter cum promissione venturum. Quod Abra dulciter excipiens et quasi sponsum futurum in epistola patris complectens admonitionem secuta est, nulli in coniugio se resolvens. Sed qualiter ad illum sponsum pervenerit, locus in sequenti servatur.

VII (21) Interea cum toto orbe Arrianae haeresis perversitas pullularet, dato generaliter imperatoris edicto, ut omnes orientales episcopi apud Seleuciam Isauriae oppidum convenirent disceptaturi, quid sentirent de fidei veritate, tune inter reliquos quarto iam exilii anno de Frigia sanctus Hilarius in praedicto loco data evectione ad synodum venire compellitur.

(22) Qui quoddam castellum dum adisset, die dominico ingressus est templum: mox Florentia puella gentilis inrumpens multitudinem populi voce magna servum dei advenisse testata est et ad pedes eius occurrens non cessavit petere, nisi signum crucis ab ipso sibi fieri fideliter impetrasset.

(23) Quam Florentius pater secutus et cuncta familia in nomine domini meruerunt pariter baptizari. Quae Florentia relictis parentibus vestigiis eius inhaerens usque Pictavis perducta est: patrem se habere non a quo generata est, sed per quem regenerata est, praedicabat.

VIII (24) Cum vero Seleuciam pervenisset, magno favore a cunctis exceptus est, eo quod divina misericordia talem virum prudentissimum et singular eruditione compertum in spectaculo mundi produceret, ubi erat de fide censendum.

(25) Hinc post examinationem agnitis hostibus et oppressis, decretis in scriptura conditis, prospera gerens synodi dirigitur ad imperatorem legatio: eum qua perrexit sanctus Hilarius, quamvis ei non fuisset iniunctum, metuens ne adhuc contra religionis dogmata respiraret damnata perfidia.

(26) Sed disserere longum est, qualiter Ariminensi synodo composita mentione aliud ex alio referens fraus haeretica serpentino lapsu subripuit et postea legatis Seleuciensibus per imperatoris iniquitatem ipsa est inlata calumnia.

(27) Quod tamen beatus athleta Christi Hilarius agnoscens graviter apud Ariminum diaboli praevaluisse mendacium, in tantum ut et orientales partes similiter composito fuco inficeret, imperatori tribus libellis oblatis preces effudit, ut in eius conspectu collectis adversariis esset ei contra haereticos disceptandi de religione licentia, ne veritatem falsitas obumbraret, ne aequitati iniquitas praevaleret, ne imperator Deo resisteret, ne fidei perfidia rebellaret.

(28) Vnde Valens et Vrsatius conscientiae reatu perterriti, quoniam si daretur facultas certandi, mox se recognoscebant Hilarii contentione prosterni, sollicitant imperatoris animum tantum in maligna parte captivum, ut ipsum beatissimum redire ad Gallias perurgueret, dicentes illo praesente haeretica non posse machinamenta proficere.

(29) Quo obtentu ad Gallias compulsus revertitur, putans magis amplius se pati exilium, quod illuc perturbationem ecclesiae relinquebat termino non secuto.

(30) O beatum pontificem, qui in summo discrimine inimici iudicis adiit tribunal imperii sine timore tormenti! Vere totis visceribus diligebat Christi regnum, qui non formidabat in principatu Constantium. Nam quod se pro domino sic ingerebat aperto periculo, optabat martyrium, si non defuisset percussor: et tamen animus sumpsit gloriam, etsi tempus non intulit poenam.

(31) Sed hunc ipsum divino nutu servatum testificor pro correctione cunctorum. Nam pene totum mundum gravi errore confusum factis saepius in Gallia synodis per Hilarium fuisse ad viam veritatis adductum confitetur lingua multorum.

(32) Quid autem sibi interest, vel pro vita aeterna factum fuisse martyrem, vel amplius vixisse, ne reliqui perirent? Igitur sanctissimam animam etsi gladius persecutoris non abstulit, palmam tamen martyris non amisit.

IX (33) Itaque dum regrederetur ad propria, tunc beatus Martinus aeque meritorum lumen non absconsum, qui ab Hilario exorcista est postea institutus, cognito adventu eius, Romam festinanter occurrit. Quem cum praeterisse cognosceret est usque Gallias consecutus.

(34) Neque enim Martinus, qui adhuc cathecuminus Christum clamyde sua tectum videre meruit, illi devotus occurreret, nisi per omnia mysteriis plenum in eo spiritum praevidisset. Nec mirum si ille qui deum prius vidit in paupere, postea ipsum habitare cognosceret in doctore.

X (35) Illud etiam nobis non convenit tam nobile praeterire miraculum. Nam eum circa Gallinariam insulam propinquaret, relatione vicinorum agnovit ibidem ingentia serpentium volumina sine numero pervagari, et ob hoc quamvis illis videretur vicina propter inaccessibilem locum longius illis videbatur esse quam Africa.

(36) Quo audito vir dei sentiens sibi de bestiali pugna venire victoriam, in nomine domini praecedente crucis auxilio descendit in insulam: eo viso serpentes in fugam conversi sunt, non tolerantes eius aspectum.

(37) Tunc baculum figens in terram quasi metam quo usque deberent excurrere virtutis potentia designavit: nec amplius est illis libertas occupare quod vetuit, tamquam pars insulae non sit terra sed pelagus. Qui dum semper illam partem verentur attingere, facilius erat illis mare transire quam vocem.

(38) O immutabilem terminum de sermone plantatum! apparet quantum est melior Adam secundus antiquo. llle serpenti paruit, iste servos habet, qui possunt serpentibus imperare. Ille per bestiam de sede paradysi proiectus est, iste de suis cubilibus serpentes exclusit. Deposuit anguis antiquum mendacium qui didicit implere mandatum.

(39) O Hilarii dulcedo, medicamentum et meritum, ante quem sine mora venena fugata sunt! Addidit terram hominibus, quia in loco beluae incola transmigravit. Sed revertamur ad ordinem.

XI (40) Cum de exilio regressus introivit Pictavis, summo favore plaudebant omnes pariter, eo quod ecclesia recepisset pontificem, grex pastorem: et ac si omnes cum ipso tunc redissent ad patriam, ita sine illo se exules fuisse deflebant.

XII (41) Itaque beatum Martinum in vico Locoteiaco dum praecepisset consistere, virtute divina meruit ibi mortuum suscitare.

(42) Post aliquot dies infans sine baptismi regeneratione defunctus est: duplici morte damnatus praesentem lucem amiserat et poena futuri saeculi non carebat.

(43) Tunc mater extincti, quae iam mater non erat, dum filium non habebat, provoluta ad pedes sancti Hilarii praecedentibus lacrimis nati sui corpus effudit exclamans: Martinus adhuc incipiens cathecuminum mortuum revocavit, tu pontifex redde, rogo, filium aut mihi aut baptismo: qui populi pater agnosceris, ut mater ego vocer obtineas.

(44) Sic illa plus lacrimis petente quam verbis commotus vir dei spectante populo ad consueta arma recurrens in terram prosternitur. Mox paulatim defuncti pallor in ruborem convertitur, frigida membra revocato spiritu intepescunt, oculi apertis palpebrae ianuis peregrinum lumen agnoscunt, vox adducto aere de pectoris domicilio conflata profertur, gressus suis vestigiis redivivus extenditur, in anteriore fundamento tota fabrica renovatur.

(45) Quid plura? '"Tamdiu iacuit sacerdos in pulvere, donec pariter surgerent, senex de oratione infans de morte. Ecce vita laudabilis, quae de alterius corpore necem precibus effugavit, spoliavit tartarum, spem habens de Christo. Mors ibi iura non tenuit ubi Hilarius vim orationis est ingressus. Sed tanta res non potest nostris verbis plus ornari quam meritis. nunc vero memorandum est quod supra promisimus, qualiter miracula reliqua hoc miraculo cumulavit.

XIII (46) Denique eum beatissimam Abram filiam suam, ad quam de exilio destinavit epistolam, incolomem invenisset, alloquitur quomodo poterat dulcedo patris et facundia oratoris. Quid dicam? alloquitur Hilarius, cuius eloquentiae post ipsum comparare aliquem vix audemus nisi qui fuit spiritu divino repletus; temptans eius animum, si velit sponsum attingere, quem patris gratia provideret.

(47) Tunc libenter desideranterque ut celeriter ei iungeretur optabat. Quam voluntatem pater pius agnoscens, intentus orationibus non cessavit, donec sine dolore, sine contagio de praesenti filia mundi ludibrio migraret ad Christum: quam propriis manibus, ut decuit, venerandae tradidit sepulturae.

(48) O funeris gloria, quae melior habetur quam vita, quia quod terrae subripuit, in caelo transmisit! Vere, ut ego considero, plus fuit quam resuscitari, sic mori. Certa enim salus est non contaminari peccatis. Quanti cuperent, rebus eum vita traditis, talem transitum comparare, si mercatorem forsitan invenirent? Quid distat inter vivificati infantis et filiae mortificatae mysterium? Illum resuscitavit ad baptismum, hanc praedestinavit ad regnum, nisi quod in illo adhuc spes peccandi restabat, haec immaculata finierat.

(49) Quod eum vidisset mater beatae Abrae a pontifice postulat, ut et ipsa si mereretur erepta de mundi crimine cum filia praesentaretur ad regnum. Cuius vota considerans assidua oratione et ipsam ante se transmisit ad gloriam.

(50) Quis aestimaturus est, talem virum ita dilexisse dominum, coniugis et filiae affectu contempto? 'Tamen in hoc magis illas amasse cognoscitur, cum per ipsum lumini perpetuo transferuntur. [XIV] Quis vero abundantiam rigantis ingenii contendat evolvere, aut eius verba verbis valeat exaequare? Qualiter ille indivisae trinitatis libros stilo tumente contexuit, aut scripturam Davitici carminis sermone coturnato per singula reseravit?

(51) Quam fuit in dissertione providus, in tractatu profundus, per litteraturam eloquens, per virtutem mirabilis, in complexionibus multiplex, in resolutione subtilis, astutus iuxta prophetam ut serpens, columbae simplicis gratiam non amittens, conditi sal ingenii, fons loquendi, thesaurus scientiae, lux doctrinae, defensor ecclesiae, hostium propugnator. Cuius dieta qui legerit non credit dicere sed tonare. Hoc fuit ultra homines sapere tam caute de religione censere.

[XV] (52) Sed qui vult ipsum agnoscere eius exilia memoret, merita respiciat, volumina relegat, dieta perpendat, signa cotidiana percenseat. Qui dum superstis fuit in saeculo aut scripsit ecclesiasticae fidei documenta, aut pugnando calcavit haeretica crimina, aut petenti tribuit miraculorum suffragia: quae volente domino usque in hodiernum diem eius orationibus perseverant.

(53) Sed mea lingua non sufficit singula de sancto spiritu qui per eum et operatus est et locutus, sicut illi dignum est, cuncta proferre. Det mihi pius veniam, quia multa praeterii qui vix pauca conscripsi.

(54) Ita beatissimus Hilarius de praesentis saeculi vita cum gloria migravit ad Christum terra plorante, caelo gaudente.



Dedication and Preface:

'I. (1) FORTUNATUS, TO HIS HOLY LORD AND FATHER, MOST BLESSED IN HIS MERITS, FATHER PASCENTIUS.
Admonished by the solicitous zeal of a religious heart, with which, oh most blessed Father, by divine acts and a sacred manner of life, urging on, you continually exert yourself, while exerting yourself you urge on; so that it is easily seen that this was both born in you and carried out by you, for the cultivation of ecclesiastical instruction. You are both an inviolable and observant defender of the foundations of the old order and of Catholic dogma, and one who hastens like a good instructor, for the improvement of your most devoted people, to keep adding to the summit of the building, always fearful of God.

(2) You didst deign, being first in the love of this work, to urge me strongly in the matter of the deeds of that most holy man Hilary the confessor, who from your very swaddling bands brought you up familiarly at his feet, as if you were a favourite in his family, so that I might either render – though not fully – the words of his immense service, or instead, at least put together a narrative of some of the events, so that while the voice and life of that ancient pastor still in a certain manner resounds in the ears of the flock, he might reveal his ministry, and you yourself might not hide your love.

II.(3) But since I can measure the smallness of my genius, just as I know the strong immensity of blessed Hilary’s, to be able to talk of such a one as this seems almost the same as touching heaven with one’s finger: especially because I have heard that even that torrent, blessed Jerome, refused to attempt such eloquence – he judged himself so unequal to this material that he was silent.

(4) But I, who have no irrigating streams of knowledge to succour me, whom the small drops of a thin rain scarcely wet, and who have no refreshment from my own fountain, with what temerity among these huge rivers (the Euphrates of blessed Hilary and the Nile of Jerome) would I wish to lay out a dry channel, when concerning him, even what most learned men were able to say was less than was fitting, and when I would be advised to admire, rather than speak of, such an exceptionally saintly man? It would have been better to command blessed Ambrose to write concerning his brother, for whom words, linked to his virtues, blossomed.

(5) But, lest this protracted page provoke tedium rather than excite interest in the reader, although with a sense of shame, I render obedience to you and injury to him of whom I am unworthy to speak, trusting that sins committed though devotion will be forgiven. So now I will write of his life.

Hilary's Life:

III. (6) So, the blessed Hilary, bishop of the city of Poitiers (which is separated from the British ocean by about 90 miles), was born in the region of Aquitaine, distinguished by the lamp of nobility among Gaulish families, indeed more than others decorated with the grace of good breeding, and with a brightness of heart, he appeared as the shining morning-star amongst the stars.

(7) From his swaddling bands he was fed such wisdom in his early infancy, that already then he could understand that Christ had ordered him to continue as a soldier, needed in order to obtain victory in His causes.

(8) And then, having a spouse and daughter, in the fullness of the Lord he handed on the rule of the church, informing their reverent minds, in such a way that, while still established in the lay way of life, by the divine will he possessed the influence of a bishop: thus he restrained himself with his own discipline, urging on, as though revealing his future honour, like an irreprehensible priest being prepared in the temple of Christ.

(9) For because it seems very difficult to be among mortals, he was so cautious that he separated himself from the table of Jews and heretics; truly this most holy man abhorred the enemies of the Catholic religion, so that, to say nothing of dining together, he did not even make them a common salutation when passing by. He avoided these things, supported by the example of David, lest by participating at the board of heretics, this might become a scandal to him.

(10) O what a perfect layman, whom priests wished to imitate: to whom, to live was not other than to fear Christ with love, and to love Him with fear. Whose followers run to glory, whose rejectors run to punishment – to the believer come prizes, to the refuser, torments.

(11) Who, rousing all to the work of devout religion, now informing others with the doctrine of the inestimable holy Trinity, now inviting the rest to the promise of the heavenly kingdom, not ceasing to sow the words of truth – the fruit of overflowing faith – among the people.

IV.(12) When these things about saint Hilary became known; because such a great light, even if it had wished to, could not have remained hidden (indeed, it was essential that it bring light to alien darkness), with the single-hearted favour of the people, or rather by proclamation of the spirit of God, this man, for a long time destined to these mysteries, at length was chosen priest of the holy altars.

(13) He grew daily in this reputation, the handmaid of virtues: neither was his fame content to illuminate surrounding Gaul only, but filled further nations and regions. The grace of his merits flowed, so that in the whole world the glory of the blessed bishop battled forth.

V. (14) So, in the time of the emperor Constantine, when the Arian heresy sprouted, envenomed at its root, as a toxic flower, then the most holy man, naked of fear, and clothed in the fervour of faith, thrust himself as a battling standard-bearer through the middle of the ranks, into the enemies' roaring and the heretics' swords, secure in the love of Christ, with not a care for his own death, fearing only that if he stayed away, he would live under a damaged faith.

(15) Hence, bishops Valens and Ursatus, who with bad faith were pertinaciously persevering in disturbing the Church of God, persuaded the emperor to send into exile this most erudite man, concerning whom we speak, as well as Dionsysius of Milan, and Eusebius of Vercelli. For nothing heretical was able to resist the insuperable eloquence of saint Hilary.

(16) The enemy of the faith [the Devil], hoped that he would be able to cloud Catholic splendour, if, such a man, away in exile, was absent from the fight. For he, as said above, perversely wanted to fight, even if, dumb and lame, he was neither able to produce words, nor fly, but as if swimming in an ocean before the current of Hilary’s eloquence, he sank.

(17) And so Hilary, sent in exile into Phrygia (in Asia), gave thanks for this increase of virtue, because, by as much as he was distanced from his homeland for the name of Christ, by that much was he closer to heaven. (VI) It is not for us to be silent concerning what was granted him while he was at the desired place.

(18) For at that time, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that a certain youth, most noble, exceedingly rich, and very handsome, sought to join his most blessed daughter Abra, whom he had left at Poitiers with her mother, to himself in the bond of marriage. But he, by intervening with assiduous prayer, provided her with a celestial spouse, free of stain.

(19) Soon, having found the opportunity, he sent a letter subscribed in his own hand to his daughter, flavoured with sufficient salt, and as it were infused with aromatic perfumes – which letter is held in Poitiers as a precious gift – indicating to her, that, as a solicitous father, he had found her a spouse whose nobility reached the heavens, whose beauty surpassed comparison with roses or lilies, whose eyes shone with the splendour of precious stones, whose clothing overwhelmed the brilliancy of snow, whose every ornament bloomed with an inestimable brightness, whose riches included kingdoms, whose incomprehensible wisdom stood tall, whose sweetness exceeded the honey of the comb, whose chastity remained uncontaminated, whose scent was of the sweetest, whose riches never failed.

(20) Adding, accordingly, a warning, that a daughter, distanced through misfortune, may not join anyone to herself in marriage, before she had awaited her father’s promise, and a spouse coming equal to the promise. Which Abra sweetly accepted, and, as if embracing her future spouse in the letter of her father, heeded the warning, resolving to be married to no-one. How she came to that spouse, will be told later.

VII (21) Meanwhile, as the Arian heresy spread throughout the whole world, a general imperial edict was issued, that all eastern bishops should gather in the town of Seleucia in Isauria, in order to debate what they thought concerning the truth of the faith. Then, among the others, already in the fourth year of his exile in that place of Phrygia, saint Hilary was granted travel and compelled to come to the synod.

(22) When he had arrived at a certain fortress, on the Sunday entered the church; thereupon, Florentia, a pagan girl, rushing into the multitude of the people, in a loud voice witnessed that a servant of God had arrived, and lying at his feet, did not cease to beg that the sign of the cross be made on her by him, until she had faithfully received it.

(23) Florentius her father, and her whole family, followed her, and likewise merited to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Florentia, leaving her parents and following Hilary’s footsteps, was led to Poitiers, pronouncing that her father was not he who gave her birth, but rebirth.

(24) When he had arrived at Seleucia, he was received with great favour by all, as if divine mercy had brought before the sight of the world such a prudent man, possessed of singular erudition, where things concerning the faith were to be decided upon.

(25) From here, after an examination that considered both the enemy and the oppressed, with decrees based in scripture, a favourable embassy of the synod was sent to the emperor; saint Hilary accompanied it, although it had not been enjoined upon him, fearing lest a damnable perfidy might still be exhaled against the doctrines of religion.

(26) But it would take long to explain how a heretical deceit was devised at the synod of Rimini, misreprenting one thing with another, with premeditated deceit and serpent-like slithering, and afterwards through the iniquity of the emperor this false statement was laid upon the legates from Seleucia.

(27) However, because Hilary, the blessed athlete of Christ, sadly recognised that at Rimini the devil’s lie had prevailed, to such a degree that the eastern regions too were infected with the contrived deceit, he poured forth prayers to the emperor with three proffered books, asking that, with the two sides gathered, he might be allowed to dispute with the heretics concerning religion, lest falsity overshadow truth, lest iniquity prevail over equanimity, lest the emperor resist God, lest faithlessness rebel against faith.

(28) Whence, Valens and Ursatius, terrified in their guilty consciences, and recognising that, if permission to debate the matter were granted, they would shortly be thoroughly defeated in the contest with Hilary, solicited the mind of the emperor, already very largely beholden to the evil party, that he might press the most blessed one to return to Gaul, saying that with him present the heretic machinations would make but little progress.

(29) As they were successful in this, Hilary was compelled to return to Gaul, thinking that he would rather still suffer exile, because by going he had abandoned this disturbance of the Church, without pursuing it to the end.

(30) O blessed bishop, who in great danger of this hostile judge, entered the imperial tribunal without fearing torture! Truly he with his whole body loved the kingdom of Christ, who was not frightened of Constantius in his own domain. For by rushing into such clear danger for the Lord, he chose martyrdom, but for the absence of a murderer; and so his courage received this glory, although the occasion did not bring forth the punishment.

(31) But I testify that he was preserved by the divine will for the correction of all. For the tongues of many confess that almost the whole world, confused by grave error, through frequent synods held in Gaul was led back to the way of truth by Hilary.

(32) What matter to him whether for eternal life he be made a martyr, or live on lest others perish? Therefore, although the persecutor’s sword did not take away his most holy soul, he did not lose the palm of martyrdom.

IX (33) And so, while he was returning to his own, blessed Martin – he too an unhidden lamp of merits – who afterwards was ordained exorcist by Hilary, having learnt of his coming, rushed quickly to Rome. When he learnt that he had already left, he followed him to Gaul.

(34) For Martin – who while still a catechumen was worthy enough to see Christ covered with his cloak – would not have run to him so devotedly, unless he had seen his spirit to be full of supernatural understanding in all things. Nor is it a surprise that he who first saw God in a pauper, afterwards recognised Him dwelling in a teacher.

(35) Nor is it fitting for us to pass over so noble a miracle. For when he had almost arrived at the island of Gallinara, he learned from the report of its inhabitants, that a vast writhing mass of serpents without number had overrun the place. Because of this, although it was near to them, being so inaccessible, it seemed to be further away than Africa.

(36) When the man of God heard this, sensing that he would achieve victory in combat with the creatures, in the name of the Lord and helped by a cross before him, he went down to the island – the serpents, seeing him, turned in flight, not tolerating his appearance.

(37) Then, fixing his staff in the earth, as a boundary, by the power of his miraculous strength he designated the place they must leave; nor did they any more have liberty to occupy what he had forbidden, as if that part of the island was not land but sea. The serpents for ever feared to come to that part – it was easier for them to cross the sea than to go against his word.

(38) O immutable limit, fixed only by speech! It is clear how much better is the second Adam than the Adam of old. That one obeyed the serpent, this one has servants able to command serpents. That one, by the beast was cast out of the seat of paradise, this one banned serpents from their lairs. The snake abandoned the old lie, and learnt to obey an order.

(39) O sweetness of Hilary, medicine and reward, before whom without delay all poisons fled! He granted land to men, because in place of the monster settlers came. But let us revert to my story.

XI (40) When, returned from exile, he entered Poitiers, all alike acclaimed him with the greatest good will, because the church had received its bishop, the flock its pastor – and it was as if all had returned with him to their fatherland, as without him they had bewailed themselves as exiles.

XII (41) And so, when he commanded blessed Martin to remain in the village of Ligugé, there the latter was worthy, by divine virtue, to raise to life someone who had died.

(42) A few days later, an infant without the rebirth of baptism died – damned to a twofold death – to lack the present light, and not to escape punishment in the future world.

(43) Then, the dead infant’s mother, who was now not a mother, since she did not have a child, prostrate at the feet of saint Hilary, poured forth tears over the body of her child, exclaiming: "Martin, still only a beginner, brought a dead catechumen back to life; I beg you, a bishop, to give my son back, either to me or to baptism, thou who art known as the father of the people, grant that I might be called a mother."

(44) Thus, with her asking more with tears than words, the man of God, moved, in the sight of the people, took up his accustomed weapons and prostrated himself on the ground. Soon, the pallor of the dead child began slowly to change to rosiness, the cold limbs grew warm with their recalled spirit, the eyes, their eyelid doors opened, perceived the strange light, the voice came forth on air drawn from the straitened house of his breast, his revitalised foot stretched out its steps; the whole fabric of his body was renewed to its former condition.

(45) What more? The priest lay for as long in the dust, until together they rose – the old man from prayer, the infant from death. Behold, a life to be praised, which dispelled death from the body of the other, and despoiled tartarus, having hope from Christ. Death could not rule where Hilary had entered with the power of prayer. But such a great thing cannot be praised by our words more than by its merits. But now, what was promised above is to be recounted – how he added other miracles to this one.

XIII (46) When finally, unharmed, he met Abra his daughter, to whom from exile he had sent the letter, he speaks to her, as a father’s sweetness and an orator’s eloquence could. What can I say? Hilary speaks, to whose eloquence we scarcely dare to compare anyone after him, unless full of the divine spirit; testing her spirit, to see if she would like to approach the spouse that his fatherly grace could provide.

(47) Then freely and eagerly she chose to be joined to Him. The pious father recognising this wish, exerted himself in prayers, and did not cease, until, without pain and without contagion, his daughter migrated to Christ from the mockery of this world. With his own hands, as was fitting, he consigned her to a venerable sepulture.

(48) O the glory of that funeral, which seems better than life – for what it snatched from the earth, it sent to heaven! Truly, I consider, that it was greater for her thus to die, than to be revived. For certain salvation is not to be contaminated with sins. How many have desired to purchase such a transit with the things which would be given up with this life, if perchance a buyer could be found? What stands between the mystery of the resurrected infant and the dead daughter – one he revivified for baptism, the other he predestined to the kingdom [of heaven] – unless it is that in him remained yet the possibility of sinning, but she had finished immaculate.

(49) When the mother of blessed Abra had seen this, she asked the bishop that she too, if she merited it, be taken away from the reproach of the world, and be presented, with her daughter, in the kingdom. He, considering her wish, with assiduous prayer, sent her too to glory, before himself.

(50) Who will judge such a man, who so loved the Lord as to scorn his affection for his wife and daughter? Still, in this it is seen that he loved them the more, since through him they were transferred to the perpetual light. [XIV] But who will attempt to unfold the fullness of his nourishing character, or do justice to his words with their own? How with noble pen he composed books on the undivided Trinity, or in lofty style, unsealed, one by one, scripture’s Davidic hymns?

(51) How prophetic in discourse he was, how profound in preaching, in letters eloquent, with miracles wonderful, versatile in rhetoric, subtle in conclusions, astute – according to the prophet – as the serpent, simple as the dove, not lacking grace, his genius ornamented with acuteness, a fount of speech, a treasure of knowledge, a light of doctrine, defender of the Church, warder-off of enemies. Whose sayings seem, to him who reads them, rather to have been thundered, than spoken. This was wisdom beyond men, so cautiously did he judge of matters of religion.

XV (52) But whoever wishes to become acquainted with him, should remember his exile, look back at his merits, go over his books, ponder his sayings, or enumerate his daily miracles. Who while he yet lived in the world, either wrote proofs of the Church’s faith, or, fighting, trod underfoot heretical slanders, or to the seeker granted the intercession of miracles by his prayers, which, the Lord willing, persist even to the present day.

(53) But my tongue does not suffice to expound all the things the Holy Spirit worked and spoke though him, in a way worthy of him. May he mercifully grant me forgiveness, because I who have written scarcely anything, have passed over many things.

(54) So the most blessed Hilary from the life of the present world migrated with glory to Christ – the earth wept and heaven rejoiced.'


Text: Krusch 1885.
Translation: Joe Church.

Composing and translating saint-related texts

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