E03127: Gregory of Tours, in his Miracles of Martin (2.23), recounts how Vinast, a blind man, was cured after he prayed in Candes (north-west Gaul) by the bed where *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) died; he was partially cured there, and fully cured after acting on a vision telling him to visit Martin's basilica in Tours; AD 575. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/581.
Creators: name: Kwojtalik
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Miracles of Martin (Libri de virtutibus sancti Martini episcopi) 2.23<br><br>Talia exercens quidam Vinastis nomine, lumen recepit, dum pauperibus illis victus necessaria ministravit. Hic caecitate maxima per annos plurimos adgravates, habebat in consuetudine, adveniens de regione sua ad antedictam sancti cellulam, pauperibus illis alimentum amplissimum exhiberet, vigiliisque devotissime celebratis, eos in satietate refecerit, quorum ipse iuxta possibilitatem tamquam famulus serviebat. Dum igitur haec per multos, ut diximus, annos inpenderet, quadam vice impleto voto servitioque simul, prosternitur ad cancellum sancti lectuli, et orans ac vale dicens, regredi cupiebat. Post conpletam autem orationem exsurgens, apertis parumper oculis, intuetur cortinam siricam de cancello pendere et ait: 'Video tamquam pallium siricum hic adpensum'. Cui aiunt sui: 'Veritatem te videre cognoscimus'. Ipse autem coepit iterum flere atque orare, ut beatus confessor opus coeptum dignanter expleret. Quic dum orat attentius, obdormivit; apparuitque ei vir per visum, dicens: 'Vade ad basilicam domni Martini, et ibi plenam obtenes sanitatem'. Qui nihil moratus, famulorum manibus deductus, ut limina beati confessoris adtigit, lumen integrum, opitulante fide, recepit.<br><br>'While he was performing similar deeds and supplying the food necessary for these poor people, a man named Vinast recovered his sight. Although this man had suffered from total blindness for many years, it was his custom to travel from his own district to the saint’s aforementioned cell and provide abundant food for these poor people. After he had most piously celebrated vigils, he generously nourished these people whom he assisted as was necessary just like a servant. For many years, as I said, Vinast performed these tasks. Once, after he had simultaneously fulfilled both his vow and his service, he knelt before the railing around the holy bed, prayed, paid his respects, and then wished to leave. But when he stood up after finishing his prayer, his eyes were slightly opened, and he saw the silk curtain that was hanging from the railing. He said: 'I see [something] like a silk curtain hanging here.' His servants said to him: 'We know that you see what is truly there.' Vinast then again began to weep and to pray that the blessed confessor would complete the task that he had begun. While he was earnestly praying, he fell asleep, and a man appeared to him in a vision and said: 'Go to the church of lord Martin, and there you will obtain a complete cure.' Vinast did not delay. He was led by the hands of his servants, and when he reached the threshold [of the church] of the blessed confessor, with the assistance of his faith he completely regained his eyesight.'<br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 166-167. Translation: Van Dam 1993, 239 (de Nie 2015, 577-579).