E02751: Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Confessors (93), tells of the broken fetters he has seen by the tomb of *Medard (bishop of Noyon buried at Soissons, ob. 557/558, S00168) at Soissons (north-east Gaul); a woman with crippled hands, inspired to visit by a book of the saint's miracles, was cured there; and slithers of wood from the original covering over his grave, and even a piece from the door of the current church, are effective in curing toothache. 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 93<br><br>Medardus vero gloriosus confessor iuxta urbem Sessionas quiescit. Ad cuius sepulchrum saepe conpedes miserorum confractos aspeximus. Post scriptum de mirabilibus eius librum mulier manu debilis devote expetiit beati praesidia sacerdotis. Denique cum reliquis vigilias fide integra caelebrat, confisa, ab eius virtute manus humore ligatas posse dissolvi, qui infelicium catenas potentia virtutis exemeret. Factum est autem, dum missae caelebrarentur, resolutis nervorum arentibus ligaturis, gratias confessori referens, ad sanctum altare accedens, gratiam benedictionis accepit incolomis. <br>Et quia, priusquam templum aedificaretur, erat super sepulchrum sancti cellula minutis contexta virgultis et, dedicato templo, haec fuit amota, dignum est, ut de ipsius ligni tenuetate magnum aliquid proferamus. Nam saepius de eo hastulae factae parumper acutae dolori dentium remedia contulerunt. Haec audiens Charimeris, qui nunc referendarius Childeberthi regis habetur, dum de hoc dolore laboraret, basilicam sancti expetiit, ut sumpturus ex ligno a virtute sancti medicinam mereretur accipere. Sed veniens, ostium repperit obseratum. Confisus ergo, quia virtus beati ubique sit praesens, extracto cultro, hastulam excutit ab ostio. Statimque ut dentes attigit, noxius dolor abscessit. Habetur apud nos et baculus eius, de quo plerumque infirmi medicamina sunt experti. <br><br>'The glorious confessor Medard rests next to the city Soissons. I have seen the fetters of wretched men often broken at his tomb. After a book about his miracles was written, a woman with crippled hands piously sought the assistance of the blessed bishop. With the other people she celebrated vigils with a pure faith. She was confident that her hands that were afflicted with swelling could be cured by the power of Medard who had released the chains of wretched men by the might of his power. It happened that while mass was being celebrated the withered bands of her nerves were loosened; she gave thanks to the confessor, approached the holy altar, and in good health received the grace of a blessing. <br>Before the church was built there was over the tomb of Saint Medard a chapel constructed from small branches. Because this chapel was removed after the dedication of the church, it is proper that I record a great event regarding small pieces of that wood. For often pointed toothpicks rapidly made from this wood have brought relief to toothaches. Charimeris, who is now the referendary of king Childebert was suffering from a toothache. When he heard about these toothpicks, he went to the church of Saint Medard to obtain [a piece of] the wood, so that he might deserve to receive medicine from the power of the saint. Upon his arrival he found the door closed. Because he was confident that the power of the blessed man was present everywhere, he took out his knife and cut off a sliver of wood from the door. As soon as it touched his teeth the aching pain vanished. I myself have the staff of Medard, from which the sick have often found medicine.'<br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 357-358. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 71-72, lightly modified. <br>