E03608: Sermon by Valerianus, bishop of Cimiez (southern Gaul), in praise of martyrdom and of the intercessory power of the saints, written in Latin at Cimiez in the mid 5th century. Includes references to an unnamed local martyr and his relics (including their spread to distant places), possibly *Pontius (martyr of Cimiez, S01486), and also to *Thekla/Thecla (follower of the Apostle Paul, S00092).
Creators: name: Dlambert
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Valerianus of Cimiez, Sermon 17<br><br>(§ 1) For soil to be fertile, it must by ploughed. If the farmer does not tend land, it soon grows wild again. The same is true of religion. (§ 2) Some people have only heard about Christianity, they do not have an example to follow. But we have the example of the martyr who is in our presence:<br><br>(2.) ... Et cuius tandem martyris? Illius necessario qui in hoc loco pugnam inclytae virtutis primus exercuit, et quo ordine coelestis regni possessionem obtineremus ostendit, qui in dies quid agendum nobis sit exemplo docet, quid proficiamus inquirit. Nemo autem dubitet illum pro actibus suis esse sollicitum, quem videt sibi parentelae affinitate coniunctum. <br><br>(3.) Oportet itaque, primo loco, ut nos huic patrono frequentibus insinuemus officiis; quatenus pro nobis apud Dominum peculiaris intercessor invigilet, et vitam nostram dignationis suae favore commendet. Nihil autem est quod non possit homo in qualibet necessitate positus obtinere, si amicis summi imperatoris non desinat supplicare. Respicite illorum studia, dilectissimi, qui sitientes aquas a peregrinis fontibus petunt: hoc est, qui sanctas ac venerabiles martyrum reliquias per extensa spatia terrarum studio religionis inquirunt, et diffusa per totum orbem virtutum merita peculiaribus officiis prosequuntur; et intelligetis quo honore nobis ille habendus est qui huius urbis locum in conflictu coelestis pugnae suo victor cruore perfudit. Vidimus enim per diversas et longe positas regiones scissi corporis plagas passim dividi, et pretiosa vulnerum documenta toto cominus orbe portari; ita ut non minor sit illis sanctorum cura, quibus sola martyrii creduntur indicia. Patrocinium ergo quod aliis fides praestitit, nobis ultro Dominus maiestatis exhibuit. Non itaque longe quaerendus est quem sequamur. Hic habemus patientiae magistrum, hic exempla praemiorum, hic formam virtutum, hic documenta meritorum. Aptemus itaque, si ita usus venerit, ad omnem patientiam animam; et memores annuae solemnitatis quem veneramur meritis, sequamur et exemplis. <br><br>(4.) Videte quae sunt ornamenta pectoris, quae pretioso serico quasi opus Dei tegitis, et fulvo auro sidereum vultum oneratis; et discite quae sit pompa vulnerum, quae corona lacrymarum, in quo stet sustinuisse carnificem, vel quanti constet vicisse tortorem; vel in qua descendat exsultatione victoria suppliciis comparata …<br><br><br>'(2.) ... Who is this martyr in whose presence we are? Necessarily, he who was the first to fight here that fight of renowned power, and to show by what arrangements we can obtain possession of the heavenly kingdom. He daily teaches us by his examples what we should do, and he inquires what progress we are making. Let no one doubt that his own acts fall under the solicitude of this martyr, who, as he sees, is joined to him in an affinity of relationship. <br><br>(3.) Hence we should, first of all, take part in the frequent devotions shown to this patron, in order that he may stand ready for us as our own intercessor with the Lord, and commend our life to Him through the good will which springs from his esteem. When a man is placed in any necessity, there is nothing he cannot get if a friend of the highest commander begs for him unceasingly. Dearly beloved, consider the zeal of those who thirstingly seek the waters from springs of pilgrimage; that is, who in their practice of religion eagerly travel over wide regions of the earth to seek the holy and venerable relics of the martyrs, and by their own devotions carry out practices warranted by the meritorious deeds of virtue practised everywhere on earth. Then you will understand in what honor we should hold him who as victor in that battle of the heavenly warfare has sprinkled the territory of this city with his blood. We have seen pieces of cloth from his mangled body distributed here and there through diverse and distant regions, and precious reminders of his wounds carried throughout the world. Consequently, those who had entrusted to them only these souvenirs of martyrdom have a devout care of the saints no less than ours. Therefore, the Lord of majesty has generously granted to us this protection which faith brings to others. Consequently, we need not go far to seek him whom we should follow. We have right here a teacher of endurance, examples of rewards, a pattern of virtues, evidence of his merits. So let us mould our souls to all endurance, in case occasion should arise. Mindful of this yearly festival, let us follow also for his examples him whom we venerate for his merits. <br><br>(4.) You see the marks of honour on his breast. You cover them, like a work of God, with precious silk, and you heap yellow gold on his heavenly countenance. Learn what is the splendour of his wounds, and the crown for his tears. Learn what it means to have endured the executioner, and how much it is worth to have overcome the torturer; or in what exaltation that victory issues which is gained through torments …'<br><br><br>Valerianus goes on to instruct his listeners to despise temporal goods, following the example of the martyr, and since they do not have the immediate opportunity of martyrdom, to do so by striving against sin (§§ 4-5). He admonishes them to resist temptation (§ 6.):<br><br>Occurrat tibi Theclae inter flammas et rabidas bestias custodita pudicitia; quae in tantum mundi huius ornamenta despexit, ut amore servandae pudicitiae coniugales thalamos desponsata contemneret, et integritatem professae virginitatis pugnando nutriret, vincendo servaret.<br><br>'Let the purity of Thecla be before your mind. She guarded it amid the flames and the raging beasts. To such an extent did she despise the trappings of this world that, although engaged, she desired so much to preserve her chastity that she considered the bridal chamber unimportant. By struggling she nourished in its integrity that virginity which she professed, and by conquering she preserved it.'<br><br>He concludes by stating that people should arm themselves against anger, lust avarice and other vices in order to achieve fellowship with the saints.<br><br>Text: PL 52, 744-746. Translation Ganss 1953, 409-415. Summary: David Lambert.