The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

Miracles of Martialis, Miracula sancti Martialis (BHL 5561)

Summary:

(1.) A girl with one hand so deformed and stiffened that the nails bit into the palm, came to the grave of Martialis, where she prayed. Her hand was healed. This was witnessed by those who had come to the shrine for the saint's feast.

(2.) That same night, a man deaf and dumb from birth was granted both his hearing and his speech.

(3.) A man swore a false oath in church. His tongue stiffened so he could no longer speak but could only low like an animal. 'Coming to the grave of this Confessor, he prostrated himself in prayer, where, after he had lain there for a long time, it seemed to him as if someone touched his throat' (Adveniens autem ad huius confessoris tumulum, prosternit se ad orationem: ubi cum diutius iacuisset, tamquam si guttur eius aliquis tangeret, ei visum est). Summoning the priest who was officiating, he asked him, by gesturing, to make the sign of the cross on his throat. When this was done, the man prayed further, and rising, 'with the restored use of his voice, he revealed, in his own words, everything that had happened to him' (reddito vocis officio, omnia quae sibi acciderant, proprio populis patefecit eloquio).

(4.) A libidinous and impious couple met at the shrine of Martialis. Evading the attention of the janitor, they managed to be shut into the church at night, where they doubtless planned to carry out their lustful intents. But they were miraculously expelled from the church, and at first light were found dunked in some foul waters near the church.

(5.) A woman quenching her thirst in the dark at night, accidentally swallowed a serpent with the water. This grew within her, causing much distress. She went to the saint's church in search of a remedy and there vomited up the live snake, returning home cured.

(6.) One of those officiating at the shrine (quidam de assistentibus officio sancti Confessoris), a man named Marculf, 'entered the small cell which houses the grave of the blessed man, and, reaching up, stole the cross which hung as an ornament over the grave' (cellulam in qua beati Viri clauditur sepulcrum ingressus, Crucem quae supra sepulcrum ornatus causa dependebat, extensa manu clam furto subtraxit). However, despite travelling widely, he found no-one willing to buy the cross, and, after a year or more, seized with contrition he returned it to the shrine, and penitently recounted the whole story.

(7.) An imprisoned man, bound in chains, at night escaped his guards who were overcome by sleep. Still chained, he reached the basilica of Martialis, and although the doors were closed his fetters fell away at its entrance. Another man, with a wooden yoke round his neck, invoked Martialis and the yoke fell away, freeing his neck and hands.

(8.) Two men, both called Domolenus, one from Tours and the other from this region, were severely disabled, so that they could move themselves, not with their legs but only with their hands. Both came to the shrine seeking a cure, and both, through their faith were able to leave it, borne on their own feet.

(9.) A blind man from Bourges was brought to the shrine, seeking a cure. The light was returned to his eyes, and he who had to be taken to the shrine, left it under his own guidance.

(10.) The miracles of Martialis are multiple; the author expresses a prayer, hoping for Martialis' support at the Last Judgement.


Text: Acta Sanctorum, Junii iii.
Summary: B. Ward-Perkins.

Saint’s feast

Cult building - independent (church)
Burial site of a saint - tomb/grave

Miracle after death
Healing diseases and disabilities
Freeing prisoners, exiles, captives, slaves
Miraculous protection - of church and church property
Punishing miracle
Juridical interventions

Women
Prisoners
Ecclesiastics - lesser clergy

Crosses

Source

Discussion

Bibliography