Bishop of Auxerre, born at Auxerre c. 380; died at Ravenna, 31 July,
448. He 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 practised 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 and gave himself up to all the enjoyments that naturally fell to
his lot. At length he incurred the displeasure of the bishop, St.
Amator. It appears that Germain was accustomed to hang the trophies of
the chase 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.
A wonderful change was instantly wrought in Germain, and he accepted
everything that had happened as the Divine will. He gave himself up to
prayer, study, and works of charity, and, when in a short time Amator
died, Germain was unanimously chosen to fill the vacant see, being
consecrated 7 July, 418. His splendid 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, and practised great
austerities. He built a large monastery dedicated to Sts. Cosmas and
Damian on the banks of the Yonne, whither he was wont to retire in his
spare moments.
In 429 the bishops of Britain sent an appeal to the continent for help
against the Pelagian heretics who were corrupting the faith of the
island. St. Prosper, who was in Rome in 431, tells us in his Chronicle
that Pope Celestine commissioned the Church in Gaul to send help, and
Germain and Lupus of Troyes were deputed to cross over to Britain. On
his way Germain stopped at Nanterre, where he met a young child,
Genevieve, destined to become the patroness of Paris. One of the early
lives of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, tells us that he formed one of
St. Germain's suite on this occasion. Tradition tells us that the main
discussion with the representatives of Pelagianism took place at St.
Alban's, and resulted in the complete discomfiture of the heretics.
Germain remained in Britain for some time preaching, and established
several schools for the training of the clergy.
On his return he went to Arles to visit the prefect, and obtained the
remission of certain taxes that were oppressing the people of Auxerre.
He constructed a church in honour of St. Alban about this time in his
episcopal city.
In 447 he was invited to revisit Britain, and went with Severus, bishop
of Tr?ves. It would seem that he did much for the Church there, if one
can judge from the traditions handed down in Wales. On one occasion he
is said to have aided the Britons to gain a great victory (called from
the battle-cry, Alleluia! the Alleluia victory) over a marauding body of
Saxons and Picts.
On his return to Gaul, he proceeded to Armorica (Brittany) to intercede
for the Armoricans who had been in rebellion. Their punishment was
deferred at his entreaty, till he should have laid their case before the
emperor. He set out for Italy, and reached Milan on 17 June, 448. Then
he journeyed to Ravenna, where he interviewed the empress-mother, Galla
Placidia, on their behalf. The empress and the bishop of the city, St.
Peter Chrysologus, gave him a royal welcome, and the pardon he sought
was granted. While there he died on 31 July, 450.
His body, as he requested when dying, was brought back to Auxerre and
interred in the Oratory of St. Maurice, which he had built. Later the
oratory was replaced by a large church, which became a celebrated
Benedictine abbey known as St. Germain's. This tribute to the memory of
the saint was the gift of Queen Clotilda, wife of Clovis. Some centuries
later, Charles the Bald had the shrine opened, and the body was found
intact. It was embalmed and wrapped in precious cloths, and placed in a
more prominent position in the church. There it was preserved till 1567,
when Auxerre was taken by the Huguenots, who desecrated the shrine and
cast out the relics. It has been said that the relics were afterwards
picked up and placed in the Abbey of St. Marion on the banks of the
Yonne, but the authenticity of the relics in this church has never been
canonically recognized.
St. Germain was honoured in Cornwall and at St. Alban's in England's
pre-reformation days, and has always been the patron of Auxerre.
[
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06472b.htm ]
An except from the Life of Saint Germain, written by Heric of Auxerre:
Since the glory of the father shines in the training of the children,
of the many sons in Christ whom St. Germain is believed to have had as
disciples in religion, let it suffice to make mention here, very
briefly, of one most famous, Patrick, the special Apostle of the Irish
nation, as the record of his work proves. Subject to that most holy
discipleship for 18 years, he drank in no little knowledge in Holy
Scripture from the stream of so great a well-spring. Germain sent him,
accompanied by Segetius, his priest, to Celestine, Pope of Rome,
approved of by whose judgement, supported by whose authority, and
strengthened by whose blessing, he went on his way to Ireland.
In art, Saint Germanus is a bishop with an ass at his feet. Sometimes
the image may contain huntsmen and wild game around him, or Germanus
leading a dragon with seven heads
(
Roeder).