ON ST. HELENA THE VIRGIN
OF AUXERRE IN GAUL.
FIFTH CENTURY.
HISTORICAL SYLLOGE
Embracing the elogium, cult, age, translation.
Helena the Virgin, of Auxerre in Gaul (S.)
G. H.
The most ancient memory of this Virgin is in the Life of S. Amator Bishop of Auxerre, which we gave on the very Kalends of this Elogium from the Life of S. Amator the Bishop. month
of May, written by Stephen the Presbyter, at the petition of S. Aunarius, Bishop also of Auxerre. In the said Life is described in the last chapter the death of S. Amator in these words: He ordered himself to the holy church to be carried, that there his Spirit to the Giver he might render, where day and night to him he had been wont to make profession. There goes forth with him on the right and left a frequent multitude, there precedes a choir of Clerics, a troop of matrons to follow after. But he when the church he had entered, the Pontifical throne ascending, about the third hour of the day sent forth his spirit. To whom immediately a choir of Saints, which is wonderful to be told, succeeded, and his Spirit with hymns and praises in the appearance of a dove was bearing to heaven. This by many beholding and narrating was confirmed, and especially by Helena the most sacred girl, who at the same time in all virtues and miracles excelled. These things in the said Life of S. Amator the Bishop.
[2] Testimony to this narration give the ancient four copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology, but augmented by posterity; The sacred cult from the ancient Fasti. of which the Epternacensian, written almost a thousand years ago, these things adjoins to this XXII of May: At the city of Auxerre the deposition and translation of Helena the Virgin. The same things, but at the following day, are referred in the codex Corbeian printed at Paris, in which the title of Saint is adjoined. In the copies Lucensian and Blumianus these things at this day are read: In the city of Auxerre the deposition and translation of the body of S. Helena the Virgin. There follow everywhere the later ones. Of these Usuard, Bellinus, and others with the Roman Martyrology only these things have: At Auxerre of S. Helena the Virgin. But that her deposition is referred indicate Notker, Maurolycus, and others: which her passing calls the old, but small, Ms. Trier of S. Maximinus. A greater elogium is added in the Mss. Laubiensian and of the Morini under the name of Ado; Brussels of S. Gudila, Pragensian, and another of S. Cyriacus; likewise in the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck under the note of the year 1490 printed and others, which is of this kind: At Auxerre of S. Helena the Virgin, who as in the Acts of S. Amator is read, both with manifold of merits virtue was illustrious, and with miracles shone forth. The same, but with changed phrase, thus are read in Galesinius: At Auxerre of S. Helena the Virgin, by the merits of virtues and the splendor of things divinely and wonderfully done illustrious. Arthur du Monstier in the Sacred Gynaeceum this formed elogium: At Auxerre of Helena the Virgin, who wholly melted into the desire of eternal glory, her soul rich in merits, to heaven sent forth.
[3] The time of her death, How long after the death of S. Amator, about the year CCCCXVIII having died, she lived, is not clear. But the body of this Virgin could have been deposited this XXII of May, and the same after some years' course have been translated. Inscribed is her memory at this day also in the Calendars of the ancient Breviaries of the Church of Auxerre, and of the translation. which to us submitted Peter le Venier Penitentiary of the said Church: whose kindness we in the year MDCLXII at Auxerre experienced, and admired his illustrious library. But it is not indicated whether the day is celebrated of the Deposition or of the Translation. Saussay at XX of June these things has: At Auxerre the translation of S. Helena the Virgin, whose glorious passing with anniversary celebrity shines on the day XXII of May.