E02564: Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Confessors (20), tells how he set up an oratory and deposited there relics of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), *Saturninus (bishop and martyr of Toulouse, S00289), *Illidius (bishop of Clermont, ob. 384/385, S00022), and *Julian (martyr of Brioude, S00035); when the relics were transferred to the oratory, a terrifying flash of light filled the building, testifying to the power of the saints; AD 573/574. 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 20<br><br><br>De oratorio autem nostro, in quo reliquiae sancti Saturnini martyris ac Martini antestitis cum Illidio confessore vel reliquorum sanctorum collocatae sunt, pro instructione credentium narrare aliqua non pigebit, qualiter se virtus beati Martini revelatione revelavit, ita ut appareret multis ignitus globus ille terribilis, qui quondam solemnia celebranti emerserat paucis visibilis, a capite arce prorumpens. Concipit enim, inspirante divinae pietatis instinctu, animus, ut cellulam valde elegantem, quam sanctus Eufronius ad usum prumptuarii habuerat, ad opus orationis fideliter dedicarem. Quam diligenter conpositam, altare ex more locato, ad basilicam sanctam vigiliis noctem unam ducentes, mane vero venientes ad cellulam, altare quod erexeramus sanctificavimus. <br><br>Regressique ad basilicam, sanctas eius reliquias cum Saturnini Iulianique martyrum vel etiam beati Illidii exinde solemniter, radiantibus cereis crucibusque, admovimus. Erat autem sacerdotum ac levitarum in albis vestibus non minimus chorus et civium honoratorum ordo praeclarus, sed et populi sequentis ordinis magnus conventus. Cumque sacrosancta pignora palleis ac nafis exornata in excelso defereremus, pervenimus ad ostium oratorii. Ingredientibus autem nobis, subito replevit cellulam illam fulgor terribilis, ita ut prae timore et splendore nimio adstantium oculi clauderentur. Discurrebat autem per totam cellulam tamquam fulgor, non parvum nobis ingerens metum. Nec quisquam scire poterat, quid hoc esset, nisi omnes pavore prostrati solo iacebant. Tunc ego: "Nolite", inquid, "timere. Virtus est enim sanctorum, quae cernitis, et praesertim rememoramini librum vitae beati Martini et recolite, qualiter verba sacrata promenti de capite globus ignis egressus, usque ad caelos visus est conscendisse. Et ideo ne terreamini, sed ipsum nos cum sanctis reliquiis credite visitasse". <br><br>'With regard to my oratory, in which are located relics of the martyr St Saturninus, bishop Martin, the confessor Illidius, and other saints, it will not be out of place to narrate some stones for the instruction of believers. [I will tell] how the power of the blessed Martin displayed itself in a revelation, so that many saw that fearsome ball of fire that once was visible to a few as it rose from Martin while he was celebrating mass and burst from the top of his head.Inspired by divine piety, I formed the idea that I should faithfully dedicate for the task of prayer the very beautiful room that St Eufronius had used as a storeroom. The room was carefully arranged and the altar placed in the usual spot. One night I kept vigils in the holy church [of St Martin]; at dawn I went to the oratory and sanctified the altar I had set up. <br><br>I returned to the church and with the accompaniment of crosses and burning candles solemnly transferred the holy relics of Martin along with those of the martyrs Saturninus and Julian and of the blessed Illidius. A large group of clerics and deacons dressed in white was present, as well as the illustrious order of distinguished citizens and a large crowd of people of the next rank. After I lifted and carried the holy relics that were [placed] in wooden coffers and adorned in shrouds, I came to the door of the oratory. As I entered, suddenly a frightening flash filled the room, so that the eyes of the bystanders were closed out of fear and because of the great brightness. The flash flared through the entire oratory and made me very afraid. No one could know what this was, although everyone was prostrate with fear and lay on the ground. I said: "Do not be afraid. For it is the power of the saints that you see. In particular remember the book about the life of the blessed Martin and recall how a ball of fire rose from his head as he recited the sacred words [of the liturgy] and how it was seen to ascend all the way to heaven. Therefore, do not be afraid, but believe that he and the other saints have visited us."' <br><br>Gregory closes the chapter with a brief discussion of this sacred fire.<br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 309-310. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 16-17, lightly modified.<br><br>