The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

Constantius of Lyon, Life of Germanus of Auxerre 10

For a full account of Constantius' Life of Germanus, see E05841. This passages follows the one discussed in E07551.

Deinde alta iam nocte, cum unus ex clericis legendi suscepisset officium, ille, ieiunio et fatigatione confectus, sopore superatus est: cum subito ante ora legentis adsistit umbra terribilis et paulatim sub oculis intuentis erigitur, parietes etiam saxorum imbribus conliduntur. Tum uero deterritus lector praesidium sacerdotis implorat. Qui statim prosiliens, effigiem terribilis imaginis intuetur et, praemissa obsecratione nominis Christi, imperat ut quis esset quidue illic ageret fateretur. Qui protinus, terrifica uanitate deposita, uoce humili more supplicantis eloquitur, se uel conparem suum auctores criminum fuisse multorum, insepultos iacere et ob hoc inquietare homines, quia ipsi quieti esse non possent; rogare ut pro his Dominum precaretur, quatenus recepti requiem mererentur. Ad haec uir sanctus indoluit imperatque ut locum ostenderet, quo iacerent. Tum uero, cereo praecedente, dux umbra progreditur et inter difficultates maximas ruinarum, intempesta nocte, locum in a quo proiecti fuerant indicauit. Vt uero mundo est redditus dies, circumiectos incolas inuitat, hortatur, ipse operis maturator adsistens. Rudera tumultuarie superiecta per tempus rastris auulsa purgantur, inueniuntur corpora fusa sine ordine, ossa ferreis adhuc nexibus inligata. Ad legem sepulturae fossa dirigitur, membra exuta uinculis linteis ambiuntur, humus superiecta conponitur, oratio intercessionis inpenditur; obtinetur defunctis requies, uiuentibus quies, ita ut post eandem diem sine ullo terroris indicio domicilium frequentato habitatore floruerit.

'Presently, when the night was well advanced, one of the clergy had begun to read aloud, as his duty was, but the Bishop, worn out by fasting and fatigue, had fallen asleep. Suddenly there appeared before the reader's eyes a dreadful spectre, which rose up little by little as he gazed on it, while the walls were pelted with a shower of stones. The terrified reader implored the protection of the Bishop, who started up and fixed his eyes upon the fearful apparition. Then, invoking the name of Christ, he ordered it to declare who it was and what it was doing there. At once it lost its terrifying demeanour and, speaking low as a humble suppliant, said that he and a companion, after committing many crimes, were lying unburied, and that was why they disturbed the living, because they could not rest quietly themselves. It asked the Bishop to pray to the Lord for them that he would take them to himself and grant them eternal rest. Moved to pity, the holy man told the apparition to show him where they lay. Then, with a torch carried in front, the ghost proceeded to lead the way and, in spite of great difficulties due to the ruins and the stormy night, pointed out the place where they had been thrown. With the return of day the Bishop persuaded some of the neighbours to come, and himself stood by to urge on the work. Rubble that had accumulated haphazard in the course of time was raked up and cleared away. The bodies were found, thrown down anyhow, the bones still fastened together with iron fetters. A grave was dug in accordance with the Church's law, the limbs were freed from the chains and wrapped in winding sheets, earth was thrown upon them and smoothed down, and the prayers for the dead were recited. There was repose for the dead and quiet for the living. From that day onwards the house lost all its terrors and was restored and regularly occupied.'

This passage is followed by the one discussed in E07039.


Text: Borius 1965, 140-42.
Translation: Hoare 1954, lightly modified.

Miracle during lifetime
Apparition, vision, dream, revelation
Exorcism

Ecclesiastics - bishops
Ecclesiastics - lesser clergy
The socially marginal (beggars, prostitutes, thieves)

Source

Discussion

Bibliography