Germain of Paris
Encyclopedia
Saint Germain (c. 496 – 28 May 576) was a bishop of Paris, who was canonized
in 754. He is known in his early vita
as pater et pastor populi, rendered in modern times as the "Father of the Poor".
to noble Gallo-Roman parents, he studied at Avallon
in Burgundy and also at Luzy
under the guidance of his cousin Scapilion, a priest. At the age of 34 he was ordained by St. Agrippinus of Autun
and became abbot of Saint-Symphorien
near that town. He was hard-working and austere, and his alms-giving was so generous that his monks, fearing he would give away everything, rebelled. As he happened to be in Paris
, in 555, when Eusebius, bishop of Paris, died, King Childebert detained him and he was consecrated bishop of Paris.
Under his influence Childebert is said to have led a reformed life. In his new state the bishop continued to practise the virtues and austerities of his monastic life and laboured hard to diminish the evils caused by the incessant wars and the licence of the nobles. He attended the Third and Fourth Councils of Paris
(557, 573) and also the Second Council of Tours
(566). He persuaded the king to stamp out the pagan practices still existing in Gaul and to forbid the excess that accompanied the celebration of most Christian festivals.
He died at Paris
in 576. For nine centuries, in times of plague and crisis, his relics were carried in procession through the streets of Paris.
, but when he heard that the inhabitants had placed themselves under the protection of the martyr St. Vincent of Saragossa
, Childebert raised his siege and spared the city. In gratitude the bishop of Zaragoza presented him with the saint's stole. When Childebert came back to Paris, he caused a church to be erected to receive the relic where he could see it across the fields from the palace on the Île de la Cité
. In 558 St. Vincent's church was completed and dedicated by Germain, 23 December; on the very same day, Childebert died. Close by the church a monastery was erected. Its abbots had both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction over the suburbs of Saint-Germain
(lasting till about the year 1670). The church was frequently plundered and set on fire by the Normans
in the ninth century. It was rebuilt in 1014 and dedicated in 1163 by Pope Alexander III
.
Childebert was succeeded briefly by Clotaire
, who divided the royal demesnes among his four sons, Charibert becoming King of Paris. He was a vicious creature, and Germain was forced to excommunicate him in 568 for his immorality. Charibert died in 570. As his surviving brothers fell to violent strife over his possessions, the bishop encountered great difficulties. He laboured to establish peace, but with little success. Sigebert and Chilperic, instigated by their wives, Brunehaut
and the infamous murderess Fredegund
, went to war, and Chilperic being defeated, Paris fell into Sigebert's hands. Germain wrote to Brunehaut (his letter is preserved) asking her to use her influence to prevent further war. Sigebert was obdurate. Despite Germain's warning he set out to attack Chilperic at Tournai, whither he had fled, but Fredegund caused him to be assassinated on the way at Vitry in 575.
Germain himself died the following year before peace was restored. His remains were interred in St. Symphorien's chapel in the vestibule of St. Vincent's church, but in 754, when he was canonized, his relics were solemnly removed into the body of the church, in the presence of Pepin
and his son, Charlemagne
, then a child of seven, and the church was reconsecrated as Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
In addition to the letter mentioned above there is a treatise on the ancient Gallican liturgy that has traditionally been attributed to Germain. The poet Venantius Fortunatus
, from whom Germain commissioned a Vita Sancti Marcelli, wrote a eulogy of his life, that has been described by a disappointed historian, for Fortunatus had visited Germain in Paris, as "nothing but a string of miracles". Germain, according to Venantius had performed his first miracle in the womb, preventing his mother from performing an abortion
.
Germain's body lay for two centuries in a tomb chamber in the chapel of Saint Symphorien, in the atrium or forecourt of the church of Saint Vincent outside the walls of Paris. The translation of his relics to a more prominent and typically Frankish position within the main church, retro altare, was effected in 756 and was justified by his vision to a pious woman.
St Germain's feast is kept on 28 May.
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
in 754. He is known in his early vita
Vita
Vita or VITA may refer to:Things:*Vita , a brief biography, often that of a saint * Vita , a character in the anime series, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's* A curriculum vitae...
as pater et pastor populi, rendered in modern times as the "Father of the Poor".
Biography
Born near AutunAutun
Autun is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in Burgundy in eastern France. It was founded during the early Roman Empire as Augustodunum. Autun marks the easternmost extent of the Umayyad campaign in Europe.-Early history:...
to noble Gallo-Roman parents, he studied at Avallon
Avallon
Avallon is a commune in the Yonne department in Burgundy in center-eastern France.-Geography:Avallon is located 50 km south-southeast of Auxerre, served by a branch of the Paris-Lyon railway and by exit 22 of the A6 motorway...
in Burgundy and also at Luzy
Luzy
Luzy is a commune in the Nièvre department in central France.-Geography:The village is located in the middle of the commune, on the right bank of the river Alène.-Demographics:...
under the guidance of his cousin Scapilion, a priest. At the age of 34 he was ordained by St. Agrippinus of Autun
Autun
Autun is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in Burgundy in eastern France. It was founded during the early Roman Empire as Augustodunum. Autun marks the easternmost extent of the Umayyad campaign in Europe.-Early history:...
and became abbot of Saint-Symphorien
Saint-Symphorien
Saint-Symphorien may refer to the following places:* in France**Saint-Symphorien, Cher, in the Cher département**Saint-Symphorien, Eure, in the Eure département**Saint-Symphorien, Gironde, in the Gironde département...
near that town. He was hard-working and austere, and his alms-giving was so generous that his monks, fearing he would give away everything, rebelled. As he happened to be in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, in 555, when Eusebius, bishop of Paris, died, King Childebert detained him and he was consecrated bishop of Paris.
Under his influence Childebert is said to have led a reformed life. In his new state the bishop continued to practise the virtues and austerities of his monastic life and laboured hard to diminish the evils caused by the incessant wars and the licence of the nobles. He attended the Third and Fourth Councils of Paris
Edict of Paris
The Edict of Paris of Chlothar II, the Merovingian king of the Franks, promulgated October 18 614 , is one of the most important royal instruments of the Merovingian period in Frankish history and a hallmark in the history of the development of the Frankish monarchy...
(557, 573) and also the Second Council of Tours
Council of Tours
In the medieval Roman Catholic church there were several Councils of Tours, that city being an old seat of Christianity, and considered fairly centrally located in France. Athenius, Bishop of Rennes, took part in the First Council of Tours in AD 461...
(566). He persuaded the king to stamp out the pagan practices still existing in Gaul and to forbid the excess that accompanied the celebration of most Christian festivals.
He died at Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 576. For nine centuries, in times of plague and crisis, his relics were carried in procession through the streets of Paris.
The abbey church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés
In 542, the king Childebert, while making war in Spain, besieged ZaragozaZaragoza
Zaragoza , also called Saragossa in English, is the capital city of the Zaragoza Province and of the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain...
, but when he heard that the inhabitants had placed themselves under the protection of the martyr St. Vincent of Saragossa
Vincent of Saragossa
Saint Vincent of Saragossa, also known as Vincent Martyr, Vincent of Huesca or Vincent the Deacon, is the patron saint of Lisbon. His feast day is 22 January in the Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Communion and 11 November in the Eastern Orthodox Churches...
, Childebert raised his siege and spared the city. In gratitude the bishop of Zaragoza presented him with the saint's stole. When Childebert came back to Paris, he caused a church to be erected to receive the relic where he could see it across the fields from the palace on the Île de la Cité
Île de la Cité
The Île de la Cité is one of two remaining natural islands in the Seine within the city of Paris . It is the centre of Paris and the location where the medieval city was refounded....
. In 558 St. Vincent's church was completed and dedicated by Germain, 23 December; on the very same day, Childebert died. Close by the church a monastery was erected. Its abbots had both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction over the suburbs of Saint-Germain
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is an area of the 6th arrondissement of Paris, France, located around the church of the former Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés....
(lasting till about the year 1670). The church was frequently plundered and set on fire by the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
in the ninth century. It was rebuilt in 1014 and dedicated in 1163 by Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III , born Rolando of Siena, was Pope from 1159 to 1181. He is noted in history for laying the foundation stone for the Notre Dame de Paris.-Church career:...
.
Childebert was succeeded briefly by Clotaire
Clotaire
Chlothar is a Germanic given name, which evolved into the later form Lothair . It is a combination of the words hlut = loud and heri = army, warrior....
, who divided the royal demesnes among his four sons, Charibert becoming King of Paris. He was a vicious creature, and Germain was forced to excommunicate him in 568 for his immorality. Charibert died in 570. As his surviving brothers fell to violent strife over his possessions, the bishop encountered great difficulties. He laboured to establish peace, but with little success. Sigebert and Chilperic, instigated by their wives, Brunehaut
Brunhilda of Austrasia
Brunhilda was a Visigothic princess, married to king Sigebert I of Austrasia who ruled the eastern kingdoms of Austrasia and Burgundy in the names of her sons and grandsons...
and the infamous murderess Fredegund
Fredegund
Fredegund was the Queen consort of Chilperic I, the Merovingian Frankish king of Soissons.All her wealth and power came to her through her association with Chilperic...
, went to war, and Chilperic being defeated, Paris fell into Sigebert's hands. Germain wrote to Brunehaut (his letter is preserved) asking her to use her influence to prevent further war. Sigebert was obdurate. Despite Germain's warning he set out to attack Chilperic at Tournai, whither he had fled, but Fredegund caused him to be assassinated on the way at Vitry in 575.
Germain himself died the following year before peace was restored. His remains were interred in St. Symphorien's chapel in the vestibule of St. Vincent's church, but in 754, when he was canonized, his relics were solemnly removed into the body of the church, in the presence of Pepin
Pippin the Younger
Pepin , called the Short or the Younger , rarely the Great , was the first King of the Franks of the Carolingian dynasty...
and his son, Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
, then a child of seven, and the church was reconsecrated as Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
In addition to the letter mentioned above there is a treatise on the ancient Gallican liturgy that has traditionally been attributed to Germain. The poet Venantius Fortunatus
Venantius Fortunatus
Venantius Honorius Clementianus Fortunatus was a Latin poet and hymnodist in the Merovingian Court, and a Bishop of the early Catholic Church. He was never canonised but was venerated as Saint Venantius Fortunatus during the Middle Ages.-Life:Venantius Fortunatus was born between 530 and 540 A.D....
, from whom Germain commissioned a Vita Sancti Marcelli, wrote a eulogy of his life, that has been described by a disappointed historian, for Fortunatus had visited Germain in Paris, as "nothing but a string of miracles". Germain, according to Venantius had performed his first miracle in the womb, preventing his mother from performing an abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
.
Germain's body lay for two centuries in a tomb chamber in the chapel of Saint Symphorien, in the atrium or forecourt of the church of Saint Vincent outside the walls of Paris. The translation of his relics to a more prominent and typically Frankish position within the main church, retro altare, was effected in 756 and was justified by his vision to a pious woman.
St Germain's feast is kept on 28 May.
External links
- St. Germain at Catholic EncyclopediaCatholic EncyclopediaThe Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia and the Original Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language encyclopedia published in the United States. The first volume appeared in March 1907 and the last three volumes appeared in 1912, followed by a master index...