ON S. EMANUS THE PRESBYTER, MAURILIUS AND ALMARUS,
MARTYRS IN THE TERRITORY OF CHARTRES IN GAUL.
CENT. VI
PrefaceEmanus Presb. Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Maurilius, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Almarus, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
Carnutum or Carnotum, to the ancients Autricum, city of Gaul Episcopal on the river Audur & head of Belsia, Cult on 16 May. celebrates on this XVI May the feast of S. Emanus the Martyr with ecclesiastical office both in the city & the rest of the diocese under semi-double rite, & three lessons which in the second Nocturn at Matins are prescribed to be recited,
are taken from his ancient Life. This we give from a double MS. codex, Life from Mss. one of which the Vendomian calls Andreas du Chesne, illustrious for his manifold erudition, who having transcribed it from there sent it to us; the other from Rouen we received from P. Fredericus Flouet, transcribed from MS. of D. Bigotius Senator of Rouen. & miracles by a contemporary author, The author in the Prologue desiring to praise the Lord in S. Emanus, recalling his deeds and also his passion, asserts that he wishes to do it so, that nothing about the said Saint's actions the page contains, which is not either to his own sight shown, or by the mouth of those seeing has been insinuated. Which although chiefly about the things & miracles, wrought among the Chartres people, is understood; yet true cannot be, unless we confess that by another author was added the last number, where it is said, after many courses of years the body of B. Emanus translated to the city of Chartres. The time of the Life is doubtful. For this manner of speaking supposes a writer, more remote from the very age of the Saint. This being granted, that much later another these Acts transcribed and interpolated, you will not wonder at the name of the Roman Pontiff, under whom S. Emanus studied at Rome, & whom the first author had neglected to name, by exorbitant enormous conjecture supplied in no. 2, by designating B. Leo, by which name the first sat in the fifth century, the second moreover in the seventh: when meanwhile in no. 6 then when into Gaul crossed the Saint, is said Theodebert to have administered the kingdom of the Franks, & in no. 4 & 10 is indicated Nectarius Bishop of Autun, who flourished with King Theodebert in the sixth century of Christ. Of these meanwhile mention omitted, in the Breviary of Chartres in the year 1633 printed only is recalled Leo Pontifex Maximus. The very Lessons are these.
[2] Emanus, Cappadocian by race, in the studies of the best arts, to which from boyhood he had inclined, was excellently learned. But when from a vow & pious desire, Epitome from the Breviary of Chartres. to Rome, to visit the monuments of the blessed Apostles Peter & Paul, he had come; Leo Pontifex Maximus, on account of his doctrine & religion, most kindly received him: but also fostering his studies, in great part advanced his most happy nature by his liberality, that to the Ecclesiastical function, for which he seemed to be born, he could be equal. At Rome for the cause of more easily acquiring sacred letters he stayed for seven years, fulfilling all with highest hope & expectation of him. Thence to Milan & Autun with religious devotion he went, that the sacred memorials of the Martyrs Nazarius & Symphorianus he might venerate. But among many other things which were preclarely done by him among the Aedui, this most worthy can be held, that for the doors of the temple a lame man keeping watch to pristine health he obtained to be restored by his prayers. Furthermore when most he could in sound doctrine exhort, & convince contradictors, divinely in dreams he was admonished, that for disseminating the word of God to Chartres he should set out. Hither therefore, not unmindful of his vocation, without delay he hastens, prepared for any dangers to be approached, for the safety of the flock entrusted to him to be guarded; indeed even to death itself, if any necessity demanded it, to be undergone. But while with wonderful sanctimony of life & integrity of morals he sweated in all the care of his ministry, by the persecutors of the faith, in a certain remote solitude of the Chartres country, together with his companions Maurilius & Almarus he was miserably slain, on the seventeenth Kalends of June. Thus there. Who three together are celebrated in MS. under the name of Usuard, & MS. Florarium of Saints, & by Greven in the Auctarium of Usuard.
[3] Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology on this day XVI May, with the companions Maurilius & Almarus omitted, Who the companions in the slaying were. assigns a single one, & calls him Peregrinus, of whom in the Acts no mention is made. But did they call Emanus Peregrinus, because he had come from Cappadocia? or rather thence was the error, because on the same day among the Chartres people is prescribed the Commemoration of S. Peregrinus the Bishop & Martyr, but of Auxerre, about whom on this day we treated? Besides in Saussay no mention is made of S. Leo the Pope, indeed neither of Nectarius the Bishop or of Theodebert the King. Which we, the whole matter considered, opine ought to be said, is; that the contemporary writer & the same Gallic & of Chartres, ought to know under what King precisely, & by what Bishop into Gaul the Saint was led; & also his name in his writing to insert; Whether he flourished in the 6 century, not also the name of the Roman Pontiff, who before so many years sat; but his interpolations supposing the name of Leo, as of the most celebrated Pontiff, the place he corrupted: & thus he came into Gaul in the sixth century, under Theodebert the King; & at Autun he was, when there S. Nectarius presided over the Church. In the MS. Martyrology old, toward the end thus is held on XI Kalends of June: On the same day in the country of Chartres near the Cell Islaris, the nativity of S. Emanus the Martyr. Thus inscribed to the MS. Life of Rouen, but perhaps to be read on XVII Kalends of June, as everywhere in the Life is held.
LIFE
By a contemporary author from MS. codices.
Emanus Presb. Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Maurilius, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Almarus, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
BHL Number: 2525
FROM A MS.
PROLOGUE.
[1] The frequentation of divine praise to be of great & most salutary religion shows in the Psalms the so often repeated exhortation of that very praise. Among whose manifoldness of praise not little stands that praising, by which we are commanded to praise the Lord God in His Saints. In them altogether, of whom elsewhere is read, wonderful God in His Saints. Such therefore having a precept, let us choose to praise the Lord in his holy Martyr Emanus; The praise of the Saints redounds to God. namely his deeds, & also the passion, which with SS. Maurilius & Almarus he suffered, recalling narrating, & narrating recalling. For behold even if too thin & inexperienced of this writing the authors are reckoned, yet does not disdain the Lord the praises, which on account of the devotion of His Saints to Him are exhibited. For if in ancient times for gratuitous delight were tragedies & comedies, which the authors of these with much fabulosity pursued, no doubt that to our Redeemer & to the faithful of God's holy Church in the deeds of the Saints, which with veridical style are produced, they please. For so much do these things which are to be narrated shine with the simplicity of truth, that nothing about the said Saint's actions the page contains, which is not either to his own sight shown, or by the mouth of those seeing has been insinuated. Whence if these were held in the prison of silence; I should fear altogether lest of that servant, hiding the talent under the bushel, the discrimination I should lie under. I shall undertake therefore by God's authoring the theme of the promised work: & lest by superfluity of prolixity I offend the souls of those reading and at the same time of those hearing, succinct in it as narrator I shall labor to be held.
CHAPTER I.
Country Cappadocia. Acts at Rome, Milan, Autun. Miracles.
[2] Born in Cappadocia, Therefore B. Emanus the Martyr, of the region of Cappadocia was sprung. Who namely from the first rudiments of infancy, in spiritual doctrines was learned. Then in the years of childhood placed, with good morals he began to please God. For whatever salutary by hearing he could perceive, to tenacious memory rather he commended. And when now in greater age he was advancing, with all the strengths of his inmost being he began more & more to the heavenly to pant. Finally when now the flowers of adolescence he entered, admonished by divine oracle, that as another Abraham the land of his nativity leaving, to Rome he came; namely that B. Peter & Paul the Apostles' & of others there Saints' thresholds praying he might visit, & that with examples the profit of his life there he might take. Who there at that time presided over a the Apostolic Cathedra, the said adolescent most kindly received, At Rome with the Pope tending him, & for the divine cult fit understanding, in literal studies he handed him over: by whose doctrine most fully educated, in such a degree suddenly the summit of these shone forth, that altogether for this exercise to the Roman people he was held praiseworthy. And because most fully filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, spiritually acting & by literal studies learning he served; he studies seven years, the circle of seven years under this study with the same Apostolic he completed.
[3] Having heard the signs of virtues, which the Lord through b B. Nazarius at that time at Milan worked, kindled with holy desire, hastily he disposed to set out thither. Approaching finally to the aforesaid Pope, he made known to him the cause of his desire. The venerable Apostolic indeed having heard these things, gave thanks to God, who had inspired these to his heart. The journey's provision also being granted to him, he admonished, that always those things which are God's studiously he should accomplish: finally with benediction received, He stays at Milan two years, as we have said, & by the same Pontiff most religiously having said farewell, he went to the city of Milan: & in the church, in which the Body of S. Nazarius rests, for two years he persisted.
[4] Meanwhile while there he dwelt together, by a heavenly vision he is admonished, that to the Autun city of the Gauls, hastening he should dispose to journey: admonished by divine warning to go to Autun, for & there at that time through B. Symphorianus omnipotent God exercised very many prodigies of miracles. By which namely the man of God admonished by vision, he hastened as quickly as possible to obey divine commands. At length therefore him desiring to hasten his journey thither the Consoler of all, the help of consolation provided for him; because he is always present to those hoping in himself, to all in himself believing what just things are piously administering. At the same time therefore the venerable d Nectarius, of the same city the Bishop, in the company of S. Nectarius going to S. Nazarius for the same vow for the cause of prayer, found there the man of God Emanus: whom about his nativity or whence he had drawn his origin inquiring, by his placid address learned, him from the Cappadocian province born: & to the question adding a question, he asks of him whither he was going. To whom the man of God Emanus responded: By a nocturnal vision I am admonished, that into Gaul to S. Symphorianus the Martyr to pray: whose sacred Body outside the wall of the Aeduan city buried rests. Subjoined to him B. Nectarius, saying: I, although unworthy, am Bishop of that place: but if of your will the hope is, let us walk together, & I will be companion of your journey. Made therefore the man of God Emanus companion of the journey of the Bishop, came to the thresholds of S. Symphorianus, as had been ordered to him.
[5] going there. But that now to the world might be shown the virtue of sanctity, which lay hidden in B. Emanus, on the morrow came to the thresholds of S. Symphorianus a certain lame man begging. Having completed therefore the man of God Emanus for which he had come the mystery of prayers, he heals the lame man by prayer. going out from the church he saw the same lame man: with whose feebleness having compassion, soon to the church he returns, & with prayer that day & night is occupied. On the next day returning, & having seized his hand, with the name of the Lord invoked, continually for his limbs' health long desired sanity he obtained.
[6] But with some years there elapsed from the time of his peregrination, on a certain night when he had given himself to sleep a heavenly vision addresses him, that to the parts of Gaul proceeding, Chartres, Neustrian city,
for the cause of preaching the word of God undaunted he should go: He came to Chartres: for that same city at that time not only in all works, but also in illustrious men strongly abounded. Then early rising the man of God, not after much time the walls of the aforesaid city with Christ's nod he enters. There preaching the word of God to the citizens, for two years he dwelt together, & many to the faith of Christ converted. At that time the most pre-excellent King e Theodebert administered the kingdom of the Franks strenuously: who not only in civil causes, but also in Ecclesiastical things to be disposed was greatly studious. Of this renowned King in the time, this most blessed man into Gaul with the Lord leading came. But these things being passed by to our narration of the order of history let us return.
[7] But while in the aforesaid city of Chartres he stayed, the revelation of certain Martyrs of Christ, themselves revealing themselves, appeared to him, the text of whose passion is reported to have been such. For a certain venerable Deacon, on account of his necessity, with his Cleric came to a village, which is called Celsiacus: & with all things accomplished for which he had come there, it was made, when from there he was returning, that on the bank of the river, to which the name is f Audura, to rest, & his horses for the fodder of grass somewhat to refresh, warned by a vision he buries the bodies of the Martyrs. he turned aside. It happened indeed that in the same place by certain robbers with his companion he was killed, & into that very water was thrown. After a few days finally appeared through a vision to the man of God Emanus, saying, Come servant of Christ, lift our little bodies from the water, because there food of fishes we are; but also wolves us altogether to be devoured from there to draw out attempt. Signifying therefore to him the place, immediately they disappeared. At dawn therefore the man of God Emanus rising, came to the river in which they had been thrown. Having poured out for them prayer, their little bodies from the water he brought forth, & to the city carrying outside the wall of the city worthily he buried.
[8] After these things when in that very city in prayers & vigils he was assiduous, through a vision appeared to him B. g Andochius the Martyr, & he beholds their glory: saying: Blessed & truly by God beloved Emanus, because in the number of Saints already by God you are written, come, & I will show you the glory of God's Martyrs, & the torments of the lower regions by which are tormented the impious. Finally taking him with himself, he showed him all things which he had promised: & to him asking who he was, he made known his name, & the names of the brothers of his, with him h equally consecrated by martyrdom. By which vision the man of God in Christ strengthened, he began greatly in all virtues to excel.
[9] But while still he was held inhabitant of that very place the most blessed man, it happened that going the shepherds of the illustrious man Bladistus to mark their flocks, he frees thieves about to be killed: thefts upon the men dwelling around they intended: who being captured & in bonds placed, & with blows long affected, at length were being led to death. Hearing moreover B. Emanus swiftly to free them was present, wishing for them to deliver himself to death. Then the judge hearing these things, touched by the bowels of mercy, them from the chains released, & life for him to have he permitted them.
[10] He began meanwhile the holy man with fasts & alms & other showings of good works to God especially to serve: & when with thirst more frequently he burned, in thirst he takes salt for water: salt for water he ministered to himself, saying: Receive insatiable mouth, this be to you for the sweetness of water: for & with vigils so he attenuated his body, that sleepless he stood very many nights. With the grace of charity filled to the needy as he could the necessary things he ministered. To prayer indeed, to reading & meditation & divine colloquies he was continually, & in every way intent. At a certain time therefore on account of the festivity of S. Symphorianus the Autun city again seeking, & there in prayers staying through the night, that the merit of his sanctity in whatever places might be divulged; he began through energumens by his proper name to be manifested. Having known this Nectarius the Bishop, with anger and at the same time with the envy of the enemy inflamed, he ordered him in a place, where no light was, to be enclosed. Where the man of God entering, freed from the Autun prison, the impurities of the pavement with garment to sweep he began; & this done with knees placed he prayed to the Lord. While praying indeed an odor of sweetness filled that place, & a splendid light shone around: of whose indication the magnificence Divinity not allowing to be hidden, to him by divine nod previously bolted forthwith opened the doors of the prison. Coming moreover Eufronius the Archdeacon, closed them a third time diligently: but with him departing, immediately they were opened. Then the venerable Bishop, when it had been announced to him, giving thanks to God, the holy man henceforth in great praise to have he began: he is ordained Cleric. & prostrate at his feet pardon he asked. Then with him going out he began to him to suggest, that the honor of Clericate he should accept: & soon acquiescing to his counsel, with benediction received his head to be tonsured in Clerical honor he made.
ANNOTATIONS.
24 September: who here seems to have appeared as of the Gallican Martyrs Primipilus, inasmuch as sent by S. Polycarp into Gaul.
which however did not come to the notice of posterity, lacking for their burial miracles, by which as Saints to be venerated they would be proved.
CHAPTER II.
Priesthood, Miracles in the country of Chartres. Martyrdom.
[11] Therefore in the silence of unseasonable night when he had given himself to sleep, he sees the holy & venerable Bishop of Vercelli, by name a Eusebius, with a certain youth in white garments standing, Admonished by S. Eusebius appearing about return to the Chartres people: & saying to him. Rise, blessed Emanus, return to the city of Chartres, & thence to the place of the same country which is called b Sibernia, & I will show you where a church in the name of the Lord you ought to build: for of the rest there to remain, the word of God to those in those parts you must preach: for with happy course of temporal life completed, more happily glorious martyrdom there you shall receive for the name of Christ. Then the man of God Emanus asked him: Lord, what is your name, who follow with such things to me? Who responding: I am, he said, the servant of Christ Eusebius, formerly Bishop of Vercelli, & so from him at the same hour the vision departed. Awaking therefore the man of God from sleep, immense thanks to the Creator of all for the vision shown to him he returned, & the journey of his progression soon hastened. And when he was returning from the Autun town, that to the place shown to him he might come, the Aurelian city he entered, & at that time of the same See the Bishop's sights he presented himself; who most kindly receiving him he used all the grace of humanity toward him. Recognizing therefore him with wisdom & the Holy Spirit filled, At Orleans he is ordained Priest: to ecclesiastical orders he promoted, but also with the order of Priesthood he sublimated.
[12] Finally proceeding thence, he came to the city of Chartres. he builds a church: Then & to the place which had been revealed to him coming, he built a church, & there henceforth preaching the word of God he dwelt. Through the same time it happened that he was invited to the home of the aforesaid man, by name Bladistus; and when from there returning he entered his proper dwelling, he left his horse there, that by night with grass's fodder he might be refreshed, making upon him the sign of the Cross. Followed moreover him one of the parasites of the said man, by name Abbo, inflamed with the torch of iniquitous cupidity. Furtively therefore the same horse having been removed, when through the whole night sitting upon him he was going, & his way correctly to keep he supposed, in the morning in the same place he was found whence he had taken him away. Who shaken with admiration & at the same time with terror, his stolen horse & cattle recovering by miracle, he forgives the thieves. greatly in this repenting, from the horse to descend he tried, that leaving him he might flee. Which not being able in any way, it happened that coming B. Emanus again the standard of the Cross over him made, beseeching the man himself that he should keep the horse for himself. Who refused, but rather asking pardon obtained. And when he wished to depart, the holy man gave him whence shoes he might prepare, lest empty from him he should return. Besides the same man of God a few flocks of sheep nourished, on account of the abundance of milk for the sustenance of the poor. By night therefore some little robbers entered his sheepfold. Seizing finally from that very sheepfold rams, while them they wished to lift from the ground, it seemed to them that they were carrying dogs: & so empty thence going away, them with too great fear divinely struck they left. Who also on the morrow prostrate at his feet, & confessing their guilt, with pardon obtained departed rejoicing.
[13] There was finally in Thuringia a certain very rich man, having a single son, he heals a blind & deaf man: who from his nativity hearing & sight had lacked, & many faculties to physicians he had disposed to give, that his son health might obtain. Hearing moreover the fame of B. Emanus, sent to him his son, whom kept very long for him the divine majesty's clemency he begged. On the fourth day with his prayers having obtained health, the man of God to the father he sent back.
[14] Succeeding then in time Urbitius a certain youth, while with other peers in play he was exercised, it happened that unforeseen by one of them he was killed, & so a boyish jest was turned for him into the case of death. Whom homicide the parents of him who had died seizing, led to the city of Chartres they thrust into prison. Having found out moreover the man of God as quickly as possible coming, urgently he began to ask that to him life would be granted; for of the death's trial of him already it was being treated. The mother of the dead with the man of God had gone to the city, he frees the imprisoned man: & equally she the man of God had besought about the life of him who in prison was held, nor could she to his prayers be bent. Coming moreover the holy man to the prison, where prayer he poured out, immediately were broken the woods from the feet of him who was held, & fell the chains from his hands. Which seeing those who had been indignant, permitted him uncontaminated to go away. On the same day the aforesaid mother of the dead, who had refused to hear the holy man, was seized by a demon. an energumen he heals: His relatives moreover & friends, prostrate at the Saint's feet, asked, that for her he would invoke the Lord: who to the salvation of men more to be of profit than of obstacle desiring,
with prayer poured out he restored her to health. he resuscitates the dead Approaching moreover the man of God to the body of the aforesaid deceased, & with the name of Christ invoked, him to the mother continually living he restored, & so by triple miracle of salvation actor made wonderful, both the homicide from the crime & the boy from death, & the woman from the demon he freed.
[15] It was made however in the following time, that Laudo a certain honored man, the daughter of a certain man, whom to Christ to be consecrated she had vowed, in nefarious union to himself to associate wished. he frees others imprisoned: But the same man with many resisted him, lest such a grave crime he commit, & lest he nefariously oppress his daughter. Who refused to acquiesce to his counsels, but this gravely bearing, him on opportunities found placed in prison with others in number forty. Then a certain matter requiring, encompassed by a band of soldiers he came, to the place which is called Spinogilus: & with parents of him who was held asking about him, the holy of God Emanus stood by him, & holding the bridle of his horse, asked that the bound man with the others from prison he would release, & lest his daughter nefariously he would lust after, he begged. He indeed disregarding what he heard, when from that place as if for stadia fifteen he had withdrawn, suddenly with great fear is struck, & with great velocity with only two boys to the man of God returned, & at his feet prostrate, he asked pardon. The man therefore whom in prison he held, & all who with him were he released; moreover & the evil of nefarious lust he abandoned.
[16] A certain man finally, by name Orfactius, dwelling near the Audur river, he heals a furious man, grievously by a demon was vexed: so finally with insanity he was carried, that not even to stand beside him would anyone presume, & for himself also with teeth lips he tore. Heard moreover the fame of the venerable man, & the virtues which with the Lord cooperating he did, by friends & relatives to him he is led. The man of the Lord moreover by accustomed piety moved, immediately to prayer's help for him took refuge: by his merits therefore intervening he returned home healthy. & another youth: But a certain woman of the race of the Franks had in her home a related youth, whom she greatly loved, but seized by a demon most grievously she grieved: who on a certain day having gone out from the home, with no one accompanying him, went into the forest, & climbing into a tree, in vain those seeking with their labor he deceived. It was revealed moreover to B. Emanus where that boy in the tree was. Approaching therefore to the place, & forcing him from there to descend, he restored him healthy to his Lady. The custom indeed was of the man of God, that on whomever the virtue of healing he exercised, he should command him, that to no one the author of his soundness he would betray. This indeed, as a friend of humility, he said, but his holy works altogether could not be kept silent.
[17] Finally very many miracles have been omitted by us, which living in the body by God's actor he wrought: but because now the discourse by us about him had has passed, now to his glorious passion's contest let us turn the stylus. When therefore omnipotent God the labors of that holy man with heavenly reward had decreed to remunerate, on a certain day the same man of God, with his companions c Maurilius & Almarus was walking, through the very opaque places of solitude, his cell's contiguous places. admonishing robbers about amendment of life But there was there in hidden places of robbers a not small troop dwelling, to the same holy man's studies & preaching always hostile, who also hoped him very many funds with himself to have. Who watchfully having recognized his progression, to him continually run armed. Then the man of the Lord considering them from afar approaching, to them constantly to meet went forward. He began moreover them with mild address to exhort that they should desist from evils, & the way they should take of Christ. And when to his salutary doctrines in no way they would acquiesce, with the torches of anger as long since they had conceived, kindled, him suddenly with the aforesaid companions for the faith of religion they killed: with 2 companions he is slain on 16 May, & so the holy athlete of Christ for the faith of God or for preaching innocently with the aforesaid companions having suffered, glorious martyrdom received on the seventeenth day of the Kalends of June, whose holy souls by Angels into heaven were carried, & among the sacred companies of the blessed Martyrs were received. he shines with miracles: Buried were moreover the aforesaid Martyrs by religious men there in the vicinity of Islaris-Cella, where unto the present day by their merits omnipotent God very many virtues works, to the praise of His name d.
[18] After many finally courses of years was translated the body of B. Emanus into the city of Chartres, where by the Christ-worshippers of the same city in greatest veneration he is held e. So great indeed for us with God do we hope him to intervene, he is translated to Chartres. as much here we more with pious love, as becomes a most holy Martyr, his merits venerable embrace, to the praise & glory of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The palm therefore of glorious victory on account of the holy labors of life & of passion having obtained from the Lord, he lives now in the heavenly kingdom with Christ the King of Kings, to whom is with God the Father, & the Holy Spirit equal honor, equal glory, & equal command, both before the ages, & in eternity, & beyond.
The Passion of Martyr Emanus buried in the city of Chartres Dear to God has been happily recited.