E02612: Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Confessors (44), gives a brief account of the life of *Severinus (bishop of Bordeaux, ob. c. 420, S01273), his death and burial, and the adoption of Severinus as the patron of the city; all in Bordeaux (south-west Gaul). Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 587/588.
Creators: name: Kwojtalik
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Glory of the Confessors 44<br><br>Habet et Burdegalensis urbis patronos venerabiles, qui saepius se virtutibus manifestant, sanctum Severinum episcopum suburbano murorum summa excolens fide. Et licet iam dixerimus in prologo libri huius, ut ea tantum scriberemus, quae Deus post obitum sanctorum suorum, eis obtenentibus, est operare dignatus, tamen non puto absurdum duci, si de illorum vita memoremus aliqua, de quibus nulla cognovimus esse conscripta. Sanctus igitur Severinus, ut ipsorum Burdegalensium clericorum fidelis relatio profert, de partibus Orientis ad eandem distinatur urbem. <br><br>'Bordeaux also has venerable patrons who often reveal themselves in miracles. With great faith the city honors the bishop St Severinus in a suburb outside the walls. For although I already said in the preface of this book that I would record only those events that God deigned to work after the death of his saints at their intercession: nevertheless I do not think it absurd if I recall a few events from the life of those about whom I know that nothing has been written. According to the trustworthy account of the Bordeaux clergy themselves, St Severinus came to that city from the East.'<br><br>Gregory relates how the incumbent bishop of Bordeaux, Amandus, was commanded in a dream to welcome Severinus. Amandus respected Severinus so much that he put him into his own office and regarded himself as Severinus' subordinate.<br><br>Denique post paucos annos obiit beatissimus Severinus. Quo sepulto, Amandus episcopus recepit locum suum, quem ei non dubium est per oboedientiam redditum, quam in Dei sanctum exercuit. Ex hoc incolae cognita eius sanctitate, patronum sibi adsciscunt, certi, quod, si quandoque urbem aut morbus obrepat aut hostilitas obsedeat aut aliqua quaerella percellat, protinus concurrentes populi ad basilicam sancti, indictis ieiuniis, vigilias celebrant, devotissime orationem fundentes, et mox ab inminenti calamitate salvantur. Vitam tamen huius, postquam haec scripsimus, a Fortunato presbitero conscriptam cognovimus.<br><br>'A few years later the blessed Severinus died. After his burial, bishop Amandus again received his office; there is no doubt that this office was restored to him because of the obedience that he had demonstrated toward the saint of God. Because Severinus’ holiness was recognized, the local inhabitants thereafter took him as their patron. They knew that whenever their city was either invaded by an illness or besieged by some enemy or disrupted by some vendetta, they would immediately be delivered from this threatening disaster as soon as the people gathered at the church of the saint, observed fasts, celebrated vigils, and piously offered prayers. After I wrote this entry I learned that the presbyter Fortunatus had written a Vita of Saint Severinus.'<br><br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 325. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 35, lightly modified.