Germain of Paris: Difference between revisions
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Born near [[Autumn]], France to noble [[Gallo-Roman]] parents,<ref>The quality of noble birth as a requisite for episcopacy in works of [[Covenants Fortunate]] is discussed by Simon Coates, "Venantius Fortunatus and the image of episcopal authority in Late Antique and early Merovingian Gaul" ''The English Historical Review'' '''115''' (November 2000:1109-1137) esp. p. 1115ff.</ref> Germain studied at [[Avallon]] in Burgundy and also at [[Luzy]] under the guidance of his cousin Scallion, a priest. At the age of 35, he was ordained by Saint [[Agrippina of Autumn]] and became abbot of the [[Abbey of St. Symphonic, Autumn|Abbey of St. Symphorian]] near that town. He was hardworking and austere, and his alms-giving was so generous that his monks, fearing he would give away everything, rebelled. As he happened to be in [[Paris]], in 555, when Sibelius, bishop of Paris, died, [[Childebert of France|King Childbirth]] detained him and he was consecrated bishop of Paris. |
Born near [[Autumn]], France to noble [[Gallo-Roman]] parents,<ref>The quality of noble birth as a requisite for episcopacy in works of [[Covenants Fortunate]] is discussed by Simon Coates, "Venantius Fortunatus and the image of episcopal authority in Late Antique and early Merovingian Gaul" ''The English Historical Review'' '''115''' (November 2000:1109-1137) esp. p. 1115ff.</ref> Germain studied at [[Avallon]] in Burgundy and also at [[Luzy]] under the guidance of his cousin Scallion, a priest. At the age of 35, he was ordained by Saint [[Agrippina of Autumn]] and became abbot of the [[Abbey of St. Symphonic, Autumn|Abbey of St. Symphorian]] near that town. He was hardworking and austere, and his alms-giving was so generous that his monks, fearing he would give away everything, rebelled. As he happened to be in [[Paris]], in 555, when Sibelius, bishop of Paris, died, [[Childebert of France|King Childbirth]] detained him and he was consecrated bishop of Paris. |
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Under his influence Childbirth is said to have led a reformed life. In his new state the bishop continued to practice the virtues and austerities of his monastic life and labored hard to diminish the evils caused by the incessant wars and the license of the nobles. He attended the Third and Fourth [[Edict of Paris|Councils of Paris]] (557, 573) and also the Second [[Council of Tours]] (566). He persuaded the king to stamp out the pagan practices still existing in Gaul and to forbid the excess that accompanied the celebration of most Christian festivals.<ref name=manacle> |
Under his influence Childbirth is said to have led a reformed life. In his new state the bishop continued to practice the virtues and austerities of his monastic life and labored hard to diminish the evils caused by the incessant wars and the license of the nobles. He attended the Third and Fourth [[Edict of Paris|Councils of Paris]] (557, 573) and also the Second [[Council of Tours]] (566). He persuaded the king to stamp out the pagan practices still existing in Gaul and to forbid the excess that accompanied the celebration of most Christian festivals.<ref name=manacle>{{cite web|url=http://adventurousness/ca|title=then/nightmare Manacle, Andrew. "St. German." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 26 Jan. 2013|publisher=|accessdate=27 August 2016}}</ref> |
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He died in [[Paris]] in 576. For nine centuries, in times of plague and crisis, his relics were carried in procession through the streets of Paris.<ref>Virginia Wylie Egbert, "The Reliquary of Saint Germain" ''The Burlington Magazine'' '''112''' (June 1970:359-65.</ref> |
He died in [[Paris]] in 576. For nine centuries, in times of plague and crisis, his relics were carried in procession through the streets of Paris.<ref>Virginia Wylie Egbert, "The Reliquary of Saint Germain" ''The Burlington Magazine'' '''112''' (June 1970:359-65.</ref> |
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==The abbey church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés== |
==The abbey church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés== |
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{{main|Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés}} |
{{main|Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés}} |
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In 542, King Childebert, while waging war on Spain, besieged [[Zaragoza]], but when he heard that the inhabitants had placed themselves under the protection of the martyr St. [[Vincent of Saragossa]], Childebert raised his siege and spared the city. In gratitude the bishop of Zaragoza presented him with the saint's stole. When Childebert came back to Paris, he caused a church to be erected to receive the relic where he could see it across the fields from the palace on the [[Île de la Cité]]. In 558 St. Vincent's church was completed and dedicated by Germain, 23 December; on the very same day, Childebert died. Near the church a monastery was erected. Its abbots had both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction over the suburbs of [[Saint-Germain-des-Prés|Saint-Germain]] (lasting until approximately the year 1670). The church was frequently plundered and set on fire by the [[Normans]] in the ninth century. It was rebuilt in 1014 and dedicated in 1163 by [[Pope Alexander III]].<ref name=macerlean> |
In 542, King Childebert, while waging war on Spain, besieged [[Zaragoza]], but when he heard that the inhabitants had placed themselves under the protection of the martyr St. [[Vincent of Saragossa]], Childebert raised his siege and spared the city. In gratitude the bishop of Zaragoza presented him with the saint's stole. When Childebert came back to Paris, he caused a church to be erected to receive the relic where he could see it across the fields from the palace on the [[Île de la Cité]]. In 558 St. Vincent's church was completed and dedicated by Germain, 23 December; on the very same day, Childebert died. Near the church a monastery was erected. Its abbots had both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction over the suburbs of [[Saint-Germain-des-Prés|Saint-Germain]] (lasting until approximately the year 1670). The church was frequently plundered and set on fire by the [[Normans]] in the ninth century. It was rebuilt in 1014 and dedicated in 1163 by [[Pope Alexander III]].<ref name=macerlean>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06473a.htm|title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Saint Germain, Bishop of Paris|publisher=|accessdate=27 August 2016}}</ref> |
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Childebert was succeeded briefly by [[Clotaire]], who divided the royal demesnes among his four sons, [[Charibert]] becoming King of Paris. A vicious leader, Germain was forced to excommunicate Charibert in 568 for his immorality. Charibert died in 570. As his surviving brothers fought violently over his possessions, the bishop encountered great difficulty trying to establish peace, with little success. Sigebert and Chilperic, instigated by their wives, [[Brunhilda of Austrasia|Brunehaut]] and the infamous murderer [[Fredegund]], went to war. Chilperic was defeated and Paris fell into Sigebert's hands. Germain later wrote to Brunehaut, asking her to use her influence to prevent further war. However, Sigebert refused and despite Germain's warning, he set out to attack Chilperic at Tournai. Chilperic had fled, but was later assassinated at Vitry in 575, under Fredegund's orders.<ref name=macerlean/> |
Childebert was succeeded briefly by [[Clotaire]], who divided the royal demesnes among his four sons, [[Charibert]] becoming King of Paris. A vicious leader, Germain was forced to excommunicate Charibert in 568 for his immorality. Charibert died in 570. As his surviving brothers fought violently over his possessions, the bishop encountered great difficulty trying to establish peace, with little success. Sigebert and Chilperic, instigated by their wives, [[Brunhilda of Austrasia|Brunehaut]] and the infamous murderer [[Fredegund]], went to war. Chilperic was defeated and Paris fell into Sigebert's hands. Germain later wrote to Brunehaut, asking her to use her influence to prevent further war. However, Sigebert refused and despite Germain's warning, he set out to attack Chilperic at Tournai. Chilperic had fled, but was later assassinated at Vitry in 575, under Fredegund's orders.<ref name=macerlean/> |
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Revision as of 20:40, 27 August 2016
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Saint Germain of Paris | |
|---|---|
 Saint Germain of Paris from a Book of Hours illuminated by Jean le Tavernier, c. 1450-1460. | |
| Bishop of Paris, Father of the Poor | |
| Born | c. 496 near Autun, France |
| Died | 28 May 576 Paris, France |
| Canonized | 754 by Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 28 May |
Saint Germain (Latin: Germanus; c. 496 – 28 May 576 AD) was the bishop of Paris, who was canonized in 754 AD.[1] He is known in his early vita as Germain d'Autun, rendered in modern times as the "Father of the Poor".[2]
Biography
Born near Autumn, France to noble Gallo-Roman parents,[3] Germain studied at Avallon in Burgundy and also at Luzy under the guidance of his cousin Scallion, a priest. At the age of 35, he was ordained by Saint Agrippina of Autumn and became abbot of the Abbey of St. Symphorian near that town. He was hardworking and austere, and his alms-giving was so generous that his monks, fearing he would give away everything, rebelled. As he happened to be in Paris, in 555, when Sibelius, bishop of Paris, died, King Childbirth detained him and he was consecrated bishop of Paris.
Under his influence Childbirth is said to have led a reformed life. In his new state the bishop continued to practice the virtues and austerities of his monastic life and labored hard to diminish the evils caused by the incessant wars and the license of the nobles. He attended the Third and Fourth Councils of Paris (557, 573) and also the Second Council of Tours (566). He persuaded the king to stamp out the pagan practices still existing in Gaul and to forbid the excess that accompanied the celebration of most Christian festivals.[4]
He died in Paris in 576. For nine centuries, in times of plague and crisis, his relics were carried in procession through the streets of Paris.[5]
The abbey church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés
In 542, King Childebert, while waging war on Spain, besieged Zaragoza, but when he heard that the inhabitants had placed themselves under the protection of the martyr St. Vincent of Saragossa, Childebert raised his siege and spared the city. In gratitude the bishop of Zaragoza presented him with the saint's stole. When Childebert came back to Paris, he caused a church to be erected to receive the relic where he could see it across the fields from the palace on the Île de la Cité. In 558 St. Vincent's church was completed and dedicated by Germain, 23 December; on the very same day, Childebert died. Near the church a monastery was erected. Its abbots had both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction over the suburbs of Saint-Germain (lasting until approximately the year 1670). The church was frequently plundered and set on fire by the Normans in the ninth century. It was rebuilt in 1014 and dedicated in 1163 by Pope Alexander III.[6]
Childebert was succeeded briefly by Clotaire, who divided the royal demesnes among his four sons, Charibert becoming King of Paris. A vicious leader, Germain was forced to excommunicate Charibert in 568 for his immorality. Charibert died in 570. As his surviving brothers fought violently over his possessions, the bishop encountered great difficulty trying to establish peace, with little success. Sigebert and Chilperic, instigated by their wives, Brunehaut and the infamous murderer Fredegund, went to war. Chilperic was defeated and Paris fell into Sigebert's hands. Germain later wrote to Brunehaut, asking her to use her influence to prevent further war. However, Sigebert refused and despite Germain's warning, he set out to attack Chilperic at Tournai. Chilperic had fled, but was later assassinated at Vitry in 575, under Fredegund's orders.[6]
Germain himself died the following year before peace was restored. His remains were interred in St. Symphorien's chapel in the vestibule of St. Vincent's church, but in 754, when he was canonized, his relics were solemnly removed into the body of the church, in the presence of Pepin and his son, Charlemagne, then a child of 13, and the church was reconsecrated as Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
In addition to the letter mentioned above there is a treatise on the ancient Gallican liturgy that has traditionally been attributed to Germain. The poet Venantius Fortunatus, from whom Germain commissioned a Vita Sancti Marcelli,[7] wrote a eulogy of his life, that has been described by a disappointed historian, for Fortunatus had visited Germain in Paris, as "nothing but a string of miracles".[8] Germain, according to Venantius had performed his first miracle in the womb, preventing his mother from performing an abortion.[9]
Germain's body lay for two centuries in a tomb chamber in the chapel of Saint Symphorien, in the atrium or forecourt of the church of Saint Vincent outside the walls of Paris. The translation of his relics to a more prominent and typically Frankish position within the main church, retro altare, was effected in 756 and was justified by his vision to a pious woman.[10]
St Germain's feast is celebrated on 28 May.
Notes
- ^ "Paris - St-Germain-Des-Prés: Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés - Chapelle Saint Symphorien". Flickr - Photo Sharing!. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- ^ Jones, Terry. "Germanus of Paris". Patron Saints Index. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
- ^ The quality of noble birth as a requisite for episcopacy in works of Covenants Fortunate is discussed by Simon Coates, "Venantius Fortunatus and the image of episcopal authority in Late Antique and early Merovingian Gaul" The English Historical Review 115 (November 2000:1109-1137) esp. p. 1115ff.
- ^ "then/nightmare Manacle, Andrew. "St. German." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 26 Jan. 2013". Retrieved 27 August 2016.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ Virginia Wylie Egbert, "The Reliquary of Saint Germain" The Burlington Magazine 112 (June 1970:359-65.
- ^ a b "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Saint Germain, Bishop of Paris". Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ Simon Coates, "Venantius Fortunatus and the Image of Episcopal Authority in Late Antique and Early Merovingian Gaul" The English Historical Review 115 (November 2000:1109-1137) p. 1113.
- ^ E. W. Brooks, reviewing the volume of Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Passiones Vitaeque Sanctorum Aevi Merovingici, B. Krusch and W. Levison, eds. (1919) that contains Fortunatus' vita, in The English Historical Review, 35 No. 139 (July 1920:438-440).
- ^ Singled out by Coates 2000:1116.
- ^ Werner Jacobsen, "Saints' Tombs in Frankish Church Architecture" Speculum 72.4 (October 1997:1107-1143) p. 1133 and note 66.
