Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 55
Presbyters and fathers (abbates) convoked by Bishop Tetricus of Langres hold vigils and pray in Dijon (Gaul), asking Bishop Gregory of Langres to approve translation of his body, ca 539/572. Account of Gregory of Tours, "Life of the Fathers", Tours (Gaul), ca 590.
7.4
 
Quod opus perfectam atque exornatum, ut in medio absidae loculum fodit, ubi corpus beati patris transferre volens, convocat presbiteros et abbates ad istud officium; qui vigilantes orabant, ut se beatus confessor ad hanc praeparatam habitationem transferri permitteret.
 
(ed. Krusch 1885: 237)
7.4
 
When the work and its decoration was complete [Tetricus, bishop of Langres, ordered an apse to be built] he [Tetricus] cut in the middle of the floor of this apse a place to receive the body of his blessed father [Gregory, former bishop of Langres]. He convoked for this purpose presbyters and fathers (abbates), who held vigils and prayed that the holy confessor would allow them to translate his remains to the newly prepared place.
 
(trans. James 1991: 47, slightly altered by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

Tetricus was bishop of Langres between 539 and 571.
 
The title abbates may denote both presbyters responsible for basilicas and monastic superiors. For more on presbyters described as abbates, see Pietri 1983.

Place of event:

Region
  • Gaul
City
  • Dijon

About the source:

Author: Gregory of Tours
Title: Life of the Fathers, Vita Patrum, Liber Vitae Patrum
Origin: Tours (Gaul)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian
Gregory of Tours (bishop of Tours in Gaul in 573-594) started writing his Life of the Fathers some time before 587 and finished it around 592 or slightly later, as shown by the cross-references to his other works. It is a collection of twenty Gallic saints` lives of different lengths. They all are in some way connected to Gregory`s family or church interests, while also exemplifying different virtues leading to sanctity. Saints presented in the Life of the Fathers are all either ascetics or bishops.
 
More on the text: James 1991: ix-xxv.
Edition:
B. Krusch ed., Gregorii Episcopi Turonensis Miracula et Opera Minora, Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Scriptores rerum Merovingicarum 1.2, Hannover 1885, 211-294.
 
Translation:
Gregory of Tours, Life of the Fathers, trans. by E. James, Liverpool 1991.
Bibliography:
L. Pietri, Les abbés de basilique dans la Gaule du VIe siècle, "Revue d'histoire de l'Église de France" 69 (1983), pp. 5-28.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence
    Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
      Described by a title - Abba
        Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior
          Devotion - Veneration of saints and relics
            Devotion - Vigils
              Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER55, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=55