E02316: Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (8.15), records how *Vulfilaicus (late 6th c. stylite and monastic founder, S01199) kept vigils in youth in the name of *Martin (ascetic and bshop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), became a disciple of *Aredius (monk of Limoges, ob. 591, S00302), and visited with him the tomb of Martin in Tours, where Aredius gathered dust in a small box (capsula). This dust when placed in the oratory of a monastery near Limoges (western Gaul) increases in quantity. Vulfilaicus travels to the region of Trier (north-east Gaul), and on a column imitates the stylite *Symeon (probably the Elder, ob. 459, S00343; possibly the Younger, ob. 592, S00860). He destroys idols and converts the locals to Christianity; is cured of sores with oil brought from Saint Martin’s church in Tours; is ordered off his column by bishops; all in around 565-585. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 585/594.
Creators: name: Bryan
name: Dlambert
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Histories (Historiae) 8.15<br><br>Summary:<br><br>While Gregory of Tours was in the monastery built by Vulfilaicus about eight miles from the fortress of Carignan (north-east Gaul), he asked Vulfilaicus to tell him about his conversion, and how he entered the service of the Church. He did not want to tell these events lest he seem vainglorious; but finally, told his story in secret.<br><br>Vulfilaicus, a Lombard by birth, said he was inspired by Saint Martin of Tours in his childhood, though he did not then know who Martin had been and what he had done; he kept vigils in Martin's name and gave money as alms. When he was older, he became a disciple of Aredius, and visited the church of Martin in Tours. Aredius gathered a little dust from Martin's tomb as a relic. He put it in a small box (capsula) and hung it round Vulfilaicus' neck. After they arrived at the monastery near Limoges, Aredius put the box in his oratory. A miracle occurred and the dust increased in quantity. <br><br>Vulfilaicus also told about his moving to the neighbourhood of Trier. He imitated there Symeon the Stylite, building a column and standing on it even through the harsh winters of the region; many local people came to see and hear him, to whom he preached against their worship of Diana. He prayed that God would cast down her statue and free the people from their false idolatry. Calling on the people to destroy the statue, they tied some ropes round it and began to pull, but were not able to pull it down; so Vulfilaicus hurried to the church and prayed. After his prayer the statue crashed to the ground. When Vulfilaicus returned home, he found his body covered with malignant sores. He went into the church, stripped himself naked by the altar, and anointed his body with oil brought in a flask from the church of Martin in Tours. A miracle occurred and Vulfilaicus found his body completely cured. <br><br>Subsequently, at the command of some bishops, who told him he was wrong to imitate Symeon, Vulfilaicus came down off his column, which was later destroyed, and lived instead with the followers he had attracted around him.<br><br>Text: Krusch and Levison 1951, 380-383. Summary: Katarzyna Wojtalik.