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{{Short description|5th century Bishop of Auxerre and saint}}
{{No footnotes|date=August 2010}}
{{Other people|Germanus}}
{{hatnote|"St. Germain d'Auxerre" redirects here. For the Parisian church, see ].}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox saint {{Infobox saint
|honorific_prefix = ]
|name= Saint Germanus of Auxerre
|name= Germanus of Auxerre
|birth_date=c. 378 |birth_date=c. 378
|death_date=c. 448 |death_date=c. 442–448
|feast_day= July 31 |feast_day= 31 July (universal)<br />3 August (Wales)
|venerated_in= ], ] |venerated_in= ], ], ]
|image= |image= StGermanus.png
|imagesize= 250px |imagesize= 250px
|caption= |caption=
|birth_place= |birth_place= ], ]
|death_place= |death_place= ], Western Roman Empire
|titles= Bishop |titles= Bishop
|beatified_date= |beatified_date=
|beatified_place= |beatified_place=
|beatified_by= |beatified_by=
Line 24: Line 28:
|issues= |issues=
}} }}
'''Germanus of Auxerre''' (c. 378 – c. 448) was a ] in ]. He is a ] in both the ] and ] churches, commemorated on July 31. He visited ] in around 429 and the records of this visit provide valuable information on the state of ]. Based on the scanty evidence, some scholars have argued that his death should be dated to 445, 446, 447 or 448, and others<ref name="Thompson">Thompson, E. A. (1984) ''Saint Germanus of Auxerre and the End of Roman Britain''. Woodbridge: Boydell</ref><ref name="Wood">Wood, I. N. (1984) "The End of Roman Britain: Continental evidence and parallels", in M. Lapidge & D. Dumville (eds.) ''Gildas: New Approaches''. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell; pp.&nbsp;1 – 25.</ref> that it should be dated to c. 437 '''Germanus of Auxerre''' ({{langx|la|Germanus Autissiodorensis}}; {{langx|cy|Garmon Sant}}; {{langx|fr|Saint Germain l'Auxerrois}}; {{c.}} 378 – c. 442–448 AD) was a western Roman clergyman who was ] in Late Antique ]. He abandoned a career as a high-ranking government official to devote his formidable energy towards the promotion of the church and the protection of his "flock" in dangerous times, personally confronting, for instance, the barbarian king "]". In ] he is best remembered for his journey to combat ] in or around 429 AD, and the records of this visit provide valuable information on the state of ]. He also played an important part in the establishment and promotion of the Cult of ]. The saint was said to have revealed the story of his martyrdom to Germanus in a dream or holy vision, and Germanus ordered this to be written down for public display. Germanus is venerated as a ] in both the ] and ] churches, which commemorate him on 31 July.


The principal source for the events of his life is the ] written by ] around 480. Constantius was a friend of ] ], who accompanied Germanus to Britain, which provided him with a link to Germanus. The principal source for the events of his life is the '']'', a ] written by ] around 480, and a brief passage added onto the end of the '']'', which may possibly have been written or commissioned by Germanus. Constantius was a friend of ] ], who accompanied Germanus to Britain, which provided him with a link to Germanus.


==Early life== ==Early life==
]
Germanus was ordained bishop of ] by his predecessor in this post, ]. Prior to this he had also practised law and held a post of ] governor.
Germanus was the son of Rusticus and Germanilla, and his family was one of the noblest in Gaul in the latter portion of the fourth century. He received the very best education provided by the distinguished schools of ] and ], and then went to ], where he studied eloquence and civil law. He practiced there before the tribunal of the prefect for some years with great success. His high birth and brilliant talents brought him into contact with the court, and he married Eustachia, a lady highly esteemed in imperial circles. The emperor sent him back to Gaul, appointing him one of the six dukes, entrusted with the government of the Gallic provinces. He resided at Auxerre.<ref name=macerlean></ref>


At length he incurred the displeasure of the bishop, ] by hanging hunting trophies on a certain tree, which in earlier times had been the scene of pagan worship. Amator remonstrated with him in vain. One day when the duke was absent, the bishop had the tree cut down and the trophies burnt. Fearing the anger of the duke, who wished to kill him, he fled and appealed to the prefect Julius for permission to confer the tonsure on Germain. This being granted, Amator, who felt that his own life was drawing to a close, returned. When the duke came to the church, Amator caused the doors to be barred and gave him the tonsure against his will, telling him to live as one destined to be his successor, and forthwith made him a deacon.<ref name=macerlean/>
== Visit to Britain ==
Around 429, shortly after the Romans had withdrawn from Britain, a Gaulish assembly of bishops chose Germanus and ], to visit the island. It was alleged that ] was rife among the British clergy, with a British bishop's son named Agricola leading. Germanus went to combat the threat and satisfy the ] that the British church would not break away from the ] teachings of ].


When in a short time Amator died, Germain was unanimously chosen to fill the vacant see, being consecrated 7 July, 418. His education now served him in good stead in the government of the diocese, which he administered with great sagacity. He distributed his goods among the poor, practised great austerities, and built a large monastery dedicated to Saints ] on the banks of the ], whither he was wont to retire in his spare moments.<ref name=macerlean/>
Germanus and Lupus confronted the British clergy at a public meeting before a huge crowd in Britain. The Pelagians were described as being 'conspicuous for riches, brilliant in dress and surrounded by a fawning multitude'. The bishops debated and, despite having no popular support, Germanus was able to defeat the Pelagians using his superior ].


== Visit to Britain ==
Germanus and Lupus then visited the shrine of ], promoting his cult. Constantius also recounts the miraculous healing of the son of 'a man with ] power'. This use of the word tribune may imply the existence of some form of post-Roman government system. However, in Constantius' lifetime tribune had acquired a looser definition, and often was used to indicate any military officer, whether part of the Imperial army or part of a town militia.
] depicting ] being taught by Saint Germanus.]]
Around 429, about twenty years after the Roman administration had been ejected from Britain, a Gaulish assembly of bishops chose Germanus and ], to visit the island. It was alleged that ] was rife among the British clergy, led by a British bishop's son named Agricola. Germanus went to combat the threat and satisfy the ] that the British church would not break away from the ] teachings of ].<ref name=butler></ref> On the way to Britain they passed through Nanterre, where Germanus noticed in the crowd which met them a young girl, whom he bade live as one espoused to Christ, and who later became St. ] of Paris.<ref> Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909{{PD-notice}}</ref> Germanus and Lupus confronted the British clergy at a public meeting before a huge crowd in Britain. The Pelagians were described as being 'conspicuous for riches, brilliant in dress and surrounded by a fawning multitude'. The bishops debated and, despite having no popular support, Germanus was able to defeat the Pelagians using his superior rhetorical skills.


Constantius also recounts the miraculous healing of the blind daughter of 'a man with ] power'.<ref name=butler/> This use of the word tribune may imply the existence of some form of post-Roman government system. However, in Constantius' lifetime tribune had acquired a looser definition, and often was used to indicate any military officer, whether part of the Imperial army or part of a town militia.
Germanus led the native Britons to a victory against a ] and ] army, at a mountainous site near a river, of which ] in North ] is the traditional location. After baptising his troops he ordered them all to cry 'Alleluia!' The sound apparently so terrified the invaders that they fled before battle could be brought. That Germanus took command may mean that British military leaders had been discredited as Pelagians or that these had themselves enlisted the Saxons and Picts.


Germanus led the native Britons to a victory against ] and ] raiders, at a mountainous site near a river, of which ] in North ] is the traditional location. The enemy approaching, the former general put himself at the head of the Christians. He led them into a vale between two high mountains, and ordered his troops shout when he gave them a sign. When the Saxon pirates came near them, he cried out thrice, Alleluia, which was followed by the whole army of Britons. The sound echoed from the hills with a noise so loud that the barbarians, judging from the shout that they were facing a mighty army, flung down their arms and ran away, leaving behind their baggage and booty.<ref name=butler/>
The possibly contemporary British ruler described as a "proud tyrant" by Gildas, and identified with the ']' of Welsh tradition, is said to have made use of Saxon ]. The political aspects of Germanus' battle against Pelagianism have been much discussed.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} It has been suggested by Peter Salway that the battle was fought to ensure that Britain remained sympathetic to ] and support his bid for control of the ]{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}}. However many scholars would see this as highly speculative to say the least and the 'battle' may have been no more than a skirmish inflated by tradition and / or the saint's hagiographer.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} It is not possible to know what impact Germanus's visit really had on Pelagianism in Britain. The link with ], traditionally portrayed as his pupil, is also contested in recent scholarship.

==Germanus and the Cult of Saint Alban==
Immediately after the debate with the Pelagians, Germanus gave thanks for his victory at the grave of ], which was likely in some sort of tomb or basilica. Some translators use the word "shrine"; this word, which is not the original Latin, would have suggested that the cult of Saint Alban had been established before Germanus' visit to Britain.<ref name="Garcia: Saint Alban and the Cult of Saints in Late Antique Britain">{{cite journal|last1=Garcia|first1=Michael|title=Saint Alban and the Cult of Saints in Late Antique Britain|url=https://www.academia.edu/3585748|website=www.academia.edu|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=Vermaat:>{{cite web|last1=Constantius of Lyon|last2=Trans. Vermaat|first2=Robert|title=The text of the Vita sancti Germani|url=http://www.vortigernstudies.org.uk/artsou/constex.htm|website=vortigernstudies.org.uk|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=biddle>], "Alban and the Anglo-Saxon Church", in Robert Runcie (ed), ''Cathedral and City: St Albans Ancient and Modern,'' Martyn Associates, 1977</ref> That night, Germanus claimed that Saint Alban came to him in a dream, revealing the details of his martyrdom. Some scholars <ref name="Wood: Germanus, Alban and Auxerre">{{cite journal|last1=Wood|first1=Ian|title=Germanus, Alban and Auxerre|journal=BUCEMA Bulletin du centre d'études médiévales d'Auxerre|date=2009|volume=13|url=http://cem.revues.org/11037#ftn10|access-date=20 November 2014}}; Garcia op.cit</ref> have even interpreted the relevant passage in a postscript to the '']'' as implying the saint's name was unknown before it was revealed to Germanus but other scholars <ref>Higham, Nicholas J (2014) “Constantius, Germanus and fifth century Britain” in 'Early Medieval Europe' 22 (2), pp. 113-37; cf Thornhill, Philip "Saint Alban and the end of Roman Britain" (Revised Version 2017)</ref> have disputed this.
When Germanus awoke, he had the account written down in ], possibly to be engraved on the walls or illustrated placards at a church site, either in Britain, or in Auxerre.<ref>Wood, Ian 2009, op.cit</ref> It has been suggested that this account formed the basis of the ''Passio Albani'', the foundational text of all information about Saint Alban:<ref name="Sharpe: The late antique passion of St Alban">{{cite journal|last1=Sharpe|first1=Richard|editor1-last=Henigand|editor1-first=M.|editor2-last=Lindley|editor2-first=P.|title=The late antique passion of St Alban|journal=Alban and St Albans|date=2001}}</ref> while this is fundamentally unprovable the evidence is strong that the ''Passio'' originated within the circle of Germanus at Auxerre. Germanus then deposited some of the bones of continental saints in the basilica, and took a sample of the earth at the site of Alban's martyrdom, which still bore the marks of the martyr's blood. Some have advanced arguments for the antiquity of the ] of Saint Alban (for example ]<ref name=biddle/>), while others suggest it was a rather artificial creation from the final years of Roman Britain, or soon after. Some have, in fact, concluded that Germanus, himself, was responsible for the creation as well as the promotion of the cult<ref name="Garcia: Saint Alban and the Cult of Saints in Late Antique Britain" /><ref name="Wood: Germanus, Alban and Auxerre" /> although this has been disputed by others.<ref>Higham, Nick 2014 op.cit.</ref>


==Later life== ==Later life==
Germanus may have made a second visit to Britain in the mid 430s<ref name="Thompson" /><ref name="Wood" /> or mid 440s, though this is contested by some scholars<ref>Anthony A. Barrett, "Saint Germanus and the British Missions", ''Britannia'' '''40''' (2009), 197–217</ref> who suggest it may be a 'doublet' or variant version of the visit that has been mistaken as describing a different visit and erroneously included as such by Constantius, according to whom Germanus was joined by ] and met ], described by ] as 'a chief of that region'. Germanus is said to have cured Elafius' enfeebled son by a miracle that served to persuade the population that Gaulish Catholicism rather than Pelagianism was the true faith. Germanus may have made a second visit to Britain in the mid 430s<ref name="Thompson" /><ref name="Wood" /> or mid 440s, though this is contested by some scholars<ref>Anthony A. Barrett, "Saint Germanus and the British Missions", ''Britannia'' '''40''' (2009), 197–217</ref> who suggest it may be a 'doublet' or variant version of the visit that has been mistaken as describing a different visit and erroneously included as such by Constantius, according to whom Germanus was joined by Severus, Bishop of Trier and met Elafius, "one of the leading men of the country". Germanus is said to have cured Elafius' enfeebled son by a miracle that served to persuade the population that Gaulish Catholicism rather than Pelagianism was the true faith.


According to a legend recorded in the '']'' of circa 829 it is during this second visit, around 447, that Germanus is said to have condemned for ] and other crimes Guorthigern, identified with the ']' of Welsh tradition. Vortigern ordered his daughter to bring her child to Germanus and name the bishop as its father. The scheme having failed, Vortigern was cursed by Germanus and the council of Britons, and fled into Wales followed by Germanus and the clergy. They pursued him to a castle on the river Teifi, where they fasted and prayed for three days and three nights. Finally, fire fell from heaven consuming the castle, the guilty king, and his company.<ref></ref> While the story appears to have no historical basis, it does indicate in what reverence Germanus was held in the Church in that part of the land.
He died in ] while petitioning the Roman government for leniency for the citizens of ], against whom Aëtius had dispatched the ] on a ]. Germanus had famously confronted Goar, the king of the Alans, so Constantius's Life relates.


He died in ] while petitioning the Roman government for leniency for the citizens of ],<ref></ref> against whom Aëtius had dispatched the ] on a ]. Germanus had famously confronted Goar, the king of the Alans, so Constantius's Life relates.
==Cult==
Saint Germanus's tomb continues to be venerated in the church of the ], which although now part of municipal museum remains open for worship at stated times. There is a tradition of a ] on the Sunday nearest to or preceding his festival in July.


Based on the scanty evidence, some scholars have argued that his death should be dated to 442 or 448, and others that it should be dated to c. 437.<ref name="Thompson">Thompson, E. A. (1984) ''Saint Germanus of Auxerre and the End of Roman Britain''. Woodbridge: Boydell</ref><ref name="Wood">Wood, I. N. (1984) "The End of Roman Britain: Continental evidence and parallels", in M. Lapidge & D. Dumville (eds.) ''Gildas: New Approaches''. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell; pp.&nbsp;1 – 25.</ref>
The ] of Saint Germanus of Auxerre spread in northern ], hence the church ] facing the ] in ]. His cult is clearly distinguished from that of the homonymous ]. He is associated with the church at ] in the east of Paris and the cult of ] (Genoveva) in ] to the west of the city, both situated on the late ] network. His journey to Britain is commemorated in his dedications at Siouville and at Saint-Germain-les-Vaux in the ] (Manche).


==Cult==
===In Great Britain===
]
The former ] at ] in ] bears his name and was in late Saxon times the seat of a ]. A few other churches in Cornwall are also dedicated to the saint as is the church at Germansweek in west Devon. More recently a church by ] dedicated to this saint was erected in ], ]. There are at least four churches dedicated to St Germanus in north Wales, where an alternative form of his name is used. These are Capel Garmon, Llanarmon, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog and Llanarmon-yn-Ial.
Saint Germanus' tomb continues to be venerated in the church of the ], which although now part of municipal museum remains open for worship at stated times. There is a tradition of a ] on the Sunday nearest to or preceding his festival in July.


The ] of Saint Germanus of Auxerre spread in northern ], hence the church ] facing the ] in ]. His cult is clearly distinguished from that of the homonymous ]. He is associated with the church at ] in the east of Paris and the cult of ] (Genoveva) in ] to the west of the city, both situated on the late ] network. His journey to Britain is commemorated in his dedications at Siouville and at Saint-Germain-les-Vaux in the ] (Manche).
Germanus is traditionally credited with the establishment of the ] on the ], though this may have been a different man of a similar name. There was widespread conflation of the two in mediaeval tradition, but scholars have contested the traditional identification with the ] Saint Garmon, commemorated in the ] ] Llanarmon.


In the 2004 edition of the ], Germanus is listed under July 31. He is described as 'passing at Ravenna, a bishop who defended Britain against the Pelagian heresy and travelled to make peace for Armorica'.<ref>''Martyrologium Romanum'', 2004, Vatican Press (Typis Vaticanis), page 425.</ref>
==Fictional portrayals of Germanus==
* Germanus figures in the 2004 movie ], although his second and final mission to Britain took place twenty years before the year the movie is set in. He is portrayed by Italian actor Ivano Marescotti.


===In Great Britain===
* His visit to Britain is the subject of a ] radio play by ] entitled ''Buchedd Garmon''.
The former ] at ] in ] bears his name and was in late Saxon times the seat of a ]. A few other churches in England are dedicated to the saint, including ], in Birmingham, ], in Essex and ], in Cornwall, as well as the church at ] in ]. The name of the civil parish of ] in Norfolk reflects a church dedication.


In Wales, Germanus is remembered as an early influence on the Celtic Church. In the current ] liturgical calendar for Wales,<ref>, accessed 6 February 2012</ref> he is commemorated on August 3, July 31 being designated for ]. In ], ], ] is a ] (Anglican) parish church by ], opened in 1884.
* Germanus appears many times in the ] series "A Dream of Eagles'" and "The Golden Eagle" .


Germanus is traditionally credited with the establishment of the ] on the ], though this may have been a different man of a similar name. In the medieval tradition Germanus was frequently conflated with the ] Saint Garmon, who is commemorated in several ] ]s and church dedications, including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. However, ] and Fisher argued that Saint Garmon is a different Saint Germanus, who was born in ] (northern France) {{Circa|410}}, visited ] in Ireland in about 440, visited Britain in about 462, then returned to Ireland and was appointed Bishop of Man in 466, and died on the Isle of Man {{Circa|474}}.<ref name=SBG77>{{cite book|last1=Baring-Gould|first1=Sabine|last2=Fisher|first2=John|title=The Lives of the British Saints, Volume 3|date=1911|publisher=The Honourable Society of the Cymmrodorion|location=London|page=77|url=https://archive.org/stream/livesofbritishsa03bariuoft#page/82/mode/2up|access-date=21 April 2015}}</ref>
In addition, ] referred to Germanus in his humorous poem, ''The Pelagian Drinking Song'':


==Fictional portrayals of Germanus==
:''And with his stout Episcopal staff''
* ] refers to Germanus in his humorous poem, ''The Pelagian Drinking Song'' from ''The four men / a farrago'' (1912):<ref>{{cite book|last1=Belloc|first1=Hilaire|title=The four men / a farrago|date=c. 1912|publisher=Thomas Nelson and Sons|location=London|page=94|url=https://archive.org/details/fourmenfarrago00belliala/|access-date=1 June 2015|ol=7230969M}}</ref>
:''So thoroughly whacked and banged''
{{bquote|<poem>
:''The heretics all, both short and tall --''
And then with his stout Episcopal staff
:''They rather had been hanged.''
:So thoroughly whacked and banged
The heretics all, both short and tall,
:They rather had been hanged.
</poem>}}


* Germanus's visit to Britain is the subject of the ] radio play ''Buchedd Garmon'' (1936) by ].
* In Valerio Massimo Manfredi's novel ], Germanus dies in Britain after his arrival on the island when trying to lead the Romans and Britons against the barbarian ]. Before he died, the Bishop recited his last words as a prophecy and founded the last legion of Britain, entrusting them with their standard; a silver dragon with a purple tail.
* Germanus appears many times in ] series of novels ']' (1992–2005) and the series "The Golden Eagle" (2005) .
* Germanus appears in the TV movie '']'' (2000) where he helps Patrick achieve his mission to convert the Irish.
* In ]'s 2002 novel ''The Last Legion'' and in the ] based on the novel, Germanus dies in Britain after his arrival on the island to lead the Romans and Britons against the barbarian ]. In the film, before he dies the Bishop recites his last words as a prophecy and founds the last legion of Britain, entrusting them with their standard: a silver dragon with a purple tail.
* Germanus appears in the 2004 film ], although his second and final mission to Britain took place twenty years before the year in which the movie is set. He is portrayed by Italian actor ].


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}}
<references />


==Further reading== ==Further reading==
* Hoare, F. R. (1965) ''The Western Fathers''. New York: Harper Torchbooks (A translation of the "Life of St Germanus" appears on pp.&nbsp;283–320) * Hoare, F. R. (1965) ''The Western Fathers''. New York: Harper Torchbooks (A translation of the "Life of St Germanus" appears on pp.&nbsp;283–320)
*
* Bowen, E. G. (1954) ''The Settlements of the Celtic Saints in Wales''. Cardiff: University of Wales Press * Bowen, E. G. (1954) ''The Settlements of the Celtic Saints in Wales''. Cardiff: University of Wales Press
* Thompson, E. A. (1984) ''Saint Germanus of Auxerre and the End of Roman Britain''. Woodbridge: Boydell * Thompson, E. A. (1984) ''Saint Germanus of Auxerre and the End of Roman Britain''. Woodbridge: Boydell
* Wood, I. N. (1984) "The End of Roman Britain: Continental evidence and parallels", in M. Lapidge & D. Dumville (eds.) ''Gildas: New Approaches''. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell; pp.&nbsp;1 – 25. * Wood, I. N. (1984) "The End of Roman Britain: Continental evidence and parallels", in M. Lapidge & D. Dumville (eds.) ''Gildas: New Approaches''. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell; pp.&nbsp;1 – 25.


== External links == ==External links==
{{Commons category|Saint Germain}}
*
* {{Cite CE1913|wstitle=St. Germain (1)|display=St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre |last=MacErlean |first=Andrew Alphonsus|short=x}}
* {{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Germanus |short=x}}

{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME = Auxerre, Germanus Of
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 378
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 448
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Auxerre, Germanus Of}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]

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Latest revision as of 02:07, 23 December 2024

5th century Bishop of Auxerre and saint For other people named Germanus, see Germanus (disambiguation). "St. Germain d'Auxerre" redirects here. For the Parisian church, see Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois.

Saint
Germanus of Auxerre
Bishop
Bornc. 378
Auxerre, Western Roman Empire
Diedc. 442–448
Ravenna, Western Roman Empire
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion
Feast31 July (universal)
3 August (Wales)

Germanus of Auxerre (Latin: Germanus Autissiodorensis; Welsh: Garmon Sant; French: Saint Germain l'Auxerrois; c. 378 – c. 442–448 AD) was a western Roman clergyman who was bishop of Autissiodorum in Late Antique Gaul. He abandoned a career as a high-ranking government official to devote his formidable energy towards the promotion of the church and the protection of his "flock" in dangerous times, personally confronting, for instance, the barbarian king "Goar". In Britain he is best remembered for his journey to combat Pelagianism in or around 429 AD, and the records of this visit provide valuable information on the state of post-Roman British society. He also played an important part in the establishment and promotion of the Cult of Saint Alban. The saint was said to have revealed the story of his martyrdom to Germanus in a dream or holy vision, and Germanus ordered this to be written down for public display. Germanus is venerated as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, which commemorate him on 31 July.

The principal source for the events of his life is the Vita Germani, a hagiography written by Constantius of Lyon around 480, and a brief passage added onto the end of the Passio Albani, which may possibly have been written or commissioned by Germanus. Constantius was a friend of Bishop Lupus of Troyes, who accompanied Germanus to Britain, which provided him with a link to Germanus.

Early life

Statue of Saint Germanus of Auxerre.

Germanus was the son of Rusticus and Germanilla, and his family was one of the noblest in Gaul in the latter portion of the fourth century. He received the very best education provided by the distinguished schools of Arles and Lyons, and then went to Rome, where he studied eloquence and civil law. He practiced there before the tribunal of the prefect for some years with great success. His high birth and brilliant talents brought him into contact with the court, and he married Eustachia, a lady highly esteemed in imperial circles. The emperor sent him back to Gaul, appointing him one of the six dukes, entrusted with the government of the Gallic provinces. He resided at Auxerre.

At length he incurred the displeasure of the bishop, Saint Amator by hanging hunting trophies on a certain tree, which in earlier times had been the scene of pagan worship. Amator remonstrated with him in vain. One day when the duke was absent, the bishop had the tree cut down and the trophies burnt. Fearing the anger of the duke, who wished to kill him, he fled and appealed to the prefect Julius for permission to confer the tonsure on Germain. This being granted, Amator, who felt that his own life was drawing to a close, returned. When the duke came to the church, Amator caused the doors to be barred and gave him the tonsure against his will, telling him to live as one destined to be his successor, and forthwith made him a deacon.

When in a short time Amator died, Germain was unanimously chosen to fill the vacant see, being consecrated 7 July, 418. His education now served him in good stead in the government of the diocese, which he administered with great sagacity. He distributed his goods among the poor, practised great austerities, and built a large monastery dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian on the banks of the Yonne, whither he was wont to retire in his spare moments.

Visit to Britain

Stained glass window at Gloucester Cathedral depicting St Patrick being taught by Saint Germanus.

Around 429, about twenty years after the Roman administration had been ejected from Britain, a Gaulish assembly of bishops chose Germanus and Lupus, Bishop of Troyes, to visit the island. It was alleged that Pelagianism was rife among the British clergy, led by a British bishop's son named Agricola. Germanus went to combat the threat and satisfy the Pope that the British church would not break away from the Augustinian teachings of divine grace. On the way to Britain they passed through Nanterre, where Germanus noticed in the crowd which met them a young girl, whom he bade live as one espoused to Christ, and who later became St. Geneviève of Paris. Germanus and Lupus confronted the British clergy at a public meeting before a huge crowd in Britain. The Pelagians were described as being 'conspicuous for riches, brilliant in dress and surrounded by a fawning multitude'. The bishops debated and, despite having no popular support, Germanus was able to defeat the Pelagians using his superior rhetorical skills.

Constantius also recounts the miraculous healing of the blind daughter of 'a man with tribunician power'. This use of the word tribune may imply the existence of some form of post-Roman government system. However, in Constantius' lifetime tribune had acquired a looser definition, and often was used to indicate any military officer, whether part of the Imperial army or part of a town militia.

Germanus led the native Britons to a victory against Pictish and Saxon raiders, at a mountainous site near a river, of which Mold in North Wales is the traditional location. The enemy approaching, the former general put himself at the head of the Christians. He led them into a vale between two high mountains, and ordered his troops shout when he gave them a sign. When the Saxon pirates came near them, he cried out thrice, Alleluia, which was followed by the whole army of Britons. The sound echoed from the hills with a noise so loud that the barbarians, judging from the shout that they were facing a mighty army, flung down their arms and ran away, leaving behind their baggage and booty.

Germanus and the Cult of Saint Alban

Immediately after the debate with the Pelagians, Germanus gave thanks for his victory at the grave of Saint Alban, which was likely in some sort of tomb or basilica. Some translators use the word "shrine"; this word, which is not the original Latin, would have suggested that the cult of Saint Alban had been established before Germanus' visit to Britain. That night, Germanus claimed that Saint Alban came to him in a dream, revealing the details of his martyrdom. Some scholars have even interpreted the relevant passage in a postscript to the Passio Albani as implying the saint's name was unknown before it was revealed to Germanus but other scholars have disputed this. When Germanus awoke, he had the account written down in tituli, possibly to be engraved on the walls or illustrated placards at a church site, either in Britain, or in Auxerre. It has been suggested that this account formed the basis of the Passio Albani, the foundational text of all information about Saint Alban: while this is fundamentally unprovable the evidence is strong that the Passio originated within the circle of Germanus at Auxerre. Germanus then deposited some of the bones of continental saints in the basilica, and took a sample of the earth at the site of Alban's martyrdom, which still bore the marks of the martyr's blood. Some have advanced arguments for the antiquity of the cult of Saint Alban (for example Martin Biddle), while others suggest it was a rather artificial creation from the final years of Roman Britain, or soon after. Some have, in fact, concluded that Germanus, himself, was responsible for the creation as well as the promotion of the cult although this has been disputed by others.

Later life

Germanus may have made a second visit to Britain in the mid 430s or mid 440s, though this is contested by some scholars who suggest it may be a 'doublet' or variant version of the visit that has been mistaken as describing a different visit and erroneously included as such by Constantius, according to whom Germanus was joined by Severus, Bishop of Trier and met Elafius, "one of the leading men of the country". Germanus is said to have cured Elafius' enfeebled son by a miracle that served to persuade the population that Gaulish Catholicism rather than Pelagianism was the true faith.

According to a legend recorded in the Historia Brittonum of circa 829 it is during this second visit, around 447, that Germanus is said to have condemned for incest and other crimes Guorthigern, identified with the 'Vortigern' of Welsh tradition. Vortigern ordered his daughter to bring her child to Germanus and name the bishop as its father. The scheme having failed, Vortigern was cursed by Germanus and the council of Britons, and fled into Wales followed by Germanus and the clergy. They pursued him to a castle on the river Teifi, where they fasted and prayed for three days and three nights. Finally, fire fell from heaven consuming the castle, the guilty king, and his company. While the story appears to have no historical basis, it does indicate in what reverence Germanus was held in the Church in that part of the land.

He died in Ravenna while petitioning the Roman government for leniency for the citizens of Armorica, against whom Aëtius had dispatched the Alans on a punitive expedition. Germanus had famously confronted Goar, the king of the Alans, so Constantius's Life relates.

Based on the scanty evidence, some scholars have argued that his death should be dated to 442 or 448, and others that it should be dated to c. 437.

Cult

A view of Auxerre's old town with the Abbey of Saint Germanus in the background.

Saint Germanus' tomb continues to be venerated in the church of the Abbey of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre, which although now part of municipal museum remains open for worship at stated times. There is a tradition of a panegyric on the Sunday nearest to or preceding his festival in July.

The cult of Saint Germanus of Auxerre spread in northern France, hence the church Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois facing the Louvre in Paris. His cult is clearly distinguished from that of the homonymous Saint Germanus of Paris. He is associated with the church at Charonne in the east of Paris and the cult of Saint Genevieve (Genoveva) in Nanterre to the west of the city, both situated on the late Roman road network. His journey to Britain is commemorated in his dedications at Siouville and at Saint-Germain-les-Vaux in the Cotentin (Manche).

In the 2004 edition of the Roman Martyrology, Germanus is listed under July 31. He is described as 'passing at Ravenna, a bishop who defended Britain against the Pelagian heresy and travelled to make peace for Armorica'.

In Great Britain

The former priory church at St Germans in Cornwall bears his name and was in late Saxon times the seat of a bishop. A few other churches in England are dedicated to the saint, including St Germain's Church, Edgbaston, in Birmingham, St Germanus' Church, Faulkbourne, in Essex and St Germanus' Church, Rame, in Cornwall, as well as the church at Germansweek in Devon. The name of the civil parish of Wiggenhall St Germans in Norfolk reflects a church dedication.

In Wales, Germanus is remembered as an early influence on the Celtic Church. In the current Roman Catholic liturgical calendar for Wales, he is commemorated on August 3, July 31 being designated for Ignatius of Loyola. In Adamsdown, Cardiff, St German's Church is a Church in Wales (Anglican) parish church by Bodley, opened in 1884.

Germanus is traditionally credited with the establishment of the Diocese of Sodor and Man on the Isle of Man, though this may have been a different man of a similar name. In the medieval tradition Germanus was frequently conflated with the Welsh Saint Garmon, who is commemorated in several North Wales placenames and church dedications, including Capel Garmon, Llanarmon, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Llanarmon Mynydd Mawr, Llanarmon-yn-Iâl, Llanfechain and Castle Caereinion. However, Sabine Baring-Gould and Fisher argued that Saint Garmon is a different Saint Germanus, who was born in Armorica (northern France) c. 410, visited Saint Patrick in Ireland in about 440, visited Britain in about 462, then returned to Ireland and was appointed Bishop of Man in 466, and died on the Isle of Man c. 474.

Fictional portrayals of Germanus

  • Hilaire Belloc refers to Germanus in his humorous poem, The Pelagian Drinking Song from The four men / a farrago (1912):

And then with his stout Episcopal staff
So thoroughly whacked and banged
The heretics all, both short and tall,
They rather had been hanged.

  • Germanus's visit to Britain is the subject of the Welsh language radio play Buchedd Garmon (1936) by Saunders Lewis.
  • Germanus appears many times in Jack Whyte series of novels 'A Dream of Eagles' (1992–2005) and the series "The Golden Eagle" (2005) .
  • Germanus appears in the TV movie St. Patrick: The Irish Legend (2000) where he helps Patrick achieve his mission to convert the Irish.
  • In Valerio Massimo Manfredi's 2002 novel The Last Legion and in the 2007 film based on the novel, Germanus dies in Britain after his arrival on the island to lead the Romans and Britons against the barbarian Picts. In the film, before he dies the Bishop recites his last words as a prophecy and founds the last legion of Britain, entrusting them with their standard: a silver dragon with a purple tail.
  • Germanus appears in the 2004 film King Arthur, although his second and final mission to Britain took place twenty years before the year in which the movie is set. He is portrayed by Italian actor Ivano Marescotti.

References

  1. ^ MacErlean, Andrew. "St. Germain." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 26 Jan. 2013
  2. ^ Butler, Rev. Alban, "St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, Confessor", The Lives of the Saints, Vol. VII, 1866
  3. MacErlean, Andrew. "St. Genevieve." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ Garcia, Michael. "Saint Alban and the Cult of Saints in Late Antique Britain". www.academia.edu. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  5. Constantius of Lyon; Trans. Vermaat, Robert. "The text of the Vita sancti Germani". vortigernstudies.org.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
  6. ^ Martin Biddle, "Alban and the Anglo-Saxon Church", in Robert Runcie (ed), Cathedral and City: St Albans Ancient and Modern, Martyn Associates, 1977
  7. ^ Wood, Ian (2009). "Germanus, Alban and Auxerre". BUCEMA Bulletin du centre d'études médiévales d'Auxerre. 13. Retrieved 20 November 2014.; Garcia op.cit
  8. Higham, Nicholas J (2014) “Constantius, Germanus and fifth century Britain” in 'Early Medieval Europe' 22 (2), pp. 113-37; cf Thornhill, Philip "Saint Alban and the end of Roman Britain" (Revised Version 2017)
  9. Wood, Ian 2009, op.cit
  10. Sharpe, Richard (2001). Henigand, M.; Lindley, P. (eds.). "The late antique passion of St Alban". Alban and St Albans.
  11. Higham, Nick 2014 op.cit.
  12. ^ Thompson, E. A. (1984) Saint Germanus of Auxerre and the End of Roman Britain. Woodbridge: Boydell
  13. ^ Wood, I. N. (1984) "The End of Roman Britain: Continental evidence and parallels", in M. Lapidge & D. Dumville (eds.) Gildas: New Approaches. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell; pp. 1 – 25.
  14. Anthony A. Barrett, "Saint Germanus and the British Missions", Britannia 40 (2009), 197–217
  15. Newell, E.J., The History of the Welsh Church, p.37, Elliot Stock, London, 1895
  16. "St Germanus the Bishop of Auxerre", Orthodox Church in America
  17. Martyrologium Romanum, 2004, Vatican Press (Typis Vaticanis), page 425.
  18. National Calendar for Wales, accessed 6 February 2012
  19. Baring-Gould, Sabine; Fisher, John (1911). The Lives of the British Saints, Volume 3. London: The Honourable Society of the Cymmrodorion. p. 77. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  20. Belloc, Hilaire (c. 1912). The four men / a farrago. London: Thomas Nelson and Sons. p. 94. OL 7230969M. Retrieved 1 June 2015.

Further reading

  • Hoare, F. R. (1965) The Western Fathers. New York: Harper Torchbooks (A translation of the "Life of St Germanus" appears on pp. 283–320)
  • Bowen, E. G. (1954) The Settlements of the Celtic Saints in Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press
  • Thompson, E. A. (1984) Saint Germanus of Auxerre and the End of Roman Britain. Woodbridge: Boydell
  • Wood, I. N. (1984) "The End of Roman Britain: Continental evidence and parallels", in M. Lapidge & D. Dumville (eds.) Gildas: New Approaches. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell; pp. 1 – 25.

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