E00640: Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Martyrs (90), tells of trees miraculously blossoming in December, during her feast, at the tomb of *Eulalia (virgin and martyr of Mérida, S00407) in Mérida (south-west Spain), thereby predicting the abundance of the harvest for the next year. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
Creators: name: Mtycner
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2015
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Glory of the Martyrs 90<br><br>Eulalia gloriosa apud Emeritam urbem passa, magnum miraculum in die immolationis suae populis profert. Sunt igitur ante eius altare, quo sancta membra teguntur, tres arbores, sed ignarus ego, cuius sint generis. Cumque iam medio mense decimo, quando eius passio celebratur, sint ab omni foliorum decorae nudatae, ea die inlucescente caelo in modum columbae alitis flores proferunt suavitatis, scilicet quod sanctus eius spiritus in columbae speciae penetraverit caelos, et quod beatum eius corpusculum iam exanime vestibusque nudatum nix caelitus decedua molli vellere contexisset. Quod miraculum si solita arbores protulerint libertate, scit populus sibi annum vel praessuris vacuum vel frugibus plenum. Quod si tardius flores ex more paruerint, cognoscit plebs, sua hoc fieri noxa; nam, priusquam erumpant, quaerula ad sepulchrum martyrae ac maesta decumbet, deprecans, ut solitam promereatur conspicere gratiam; sed nec psallendo procedit, si haec manifestata non fuerint. Iam si placatur martyr a lacrimis plebis, emergunt protinus ex arboribus gemmei flores, qui odore nectareo respirantes, animi maestitiam et adventu laetificent et reficiant suavitate. Dehinc diligenter collecti et in basilicam sacerdoti delati, processio cum gaudio celebratur; nam et hos flores saepius infirmis prodesse cognovimus.<br><br>'The glorious Eulalia suffered at Mérida. On the anniversary of her sacrifice she demonstrates a great miracle to the people. In front of the altar that covers her sacred limbs there are three trees, although I do not know what kind they are. When her suffering is celebrated in the middle of the tenth month [= December, by the reckoning used by Gregory], the trees are stripped of any ornamenting foliage. But as the sky brightens on her festival day, the trees produce sweet blossoms in the form of a winged dove; for her blessed spirit entered heaven in the shape of a dove and snow falling from heaven covered her blessed body, when it was already lifeless and stripped of its garments, with soft wool. If the trees produce this miracle with the usual spontaneity, the people know that their year will be free from problems and filled with crops. But if flowers bloom more slowly than usual, the people know that this threatens their own affairs. For already before the trees bloom the people bring their grievances and their quarrels to the tomb of the martyr and pray that they might be worthy to see the usual favour. If the blossoms have not appeared, there is no procession or chanting of psalms. But if the martyr is placated by the tears of the people, immediately flowers resembling gemstones blossom on the trees. The flowers emit the fragrance of nectar, and they make the sadness of the heart happy with their appearance and refresh it with their sweetness. Then the blossoms are carefully collected and brought to the bishop in the church. A procession joyously celebrates [them]. I know that these blossoms often assist ill people.'<br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 98. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 84-85, lightly modified.