The Presbyters Project

8.3

The following passage is used by Gregory as proof of Bishop Nicetius' love of peace.

Nam vidi ego quodam tempore Basilium presbiterum missum ab eo ad Armentarium comitem, qui Lugdunensim urbem his diebus potestate iudiciaria gubernabat; dixitque ad eum: 'Pontifex noster causae huic, quae a denuo inpetitur, dato iudicio, terminum fecit, ideoque commonet, ne eam iterare praesumas'. Qui furore succensus, respondit presbitero: 'Vade et dic ei, quia multae sunt causae in eius conspectu positae, quae alterius iudicio finiendae erunt'. Qui furore succensus, respondit presbitero: 'Vade et dic ei, quia multae sunt causae in eius conspectu positae, quae alterius iudicio finiendae erunt'. Regressus presbiter, quae audivit simpliciter exposuit. Sanctus vero Nicetius commotus contra eum, ait: 'Vere inquam, quia eulogias de manu mea non accipies, pro eo quod verba quae furor exegit meis auribus intulisti'.

Nicetius then orders Gregory of Tours to speak to the other presbyters, who should ask the bishop's pardon on Basil's behalf. They remain silent, however, not understanding Nicetius' intentions. In the end, Gregory himself ask for Nicetius' mercy for Basil.

(ed. Krusch 1885: 243-244, summarised by J. Szafranowski)

8.3

The following passage is used by Gregory as proof of Bishop Nicetius' love of peace.

I [i.e. Gregory of Tours] saw one day the Presbyter Basil, sent by Nicetius to Count Armentarius, who then governed the city of Lyon with judicial power, to tell him that "Our pontiff has ended by his judgement that law-case, which nevertheless has been opened up again; he warns you that you should not pursue it further". The count was furious at this, and replied to the presbyter, "Go and tell him that there are many cases heard in his presence which will nevertheless be terminated by the judgement of another". The presbyter returned and reported simply what he had been told. And saint Nicetius was annoyed with him: "In truth, you shall not receive blessings (eulogiae) from my hand, because you have let me hear words spoken in anger".

(trans. James 1911: 52-53, slightly altered and summarised by J. Szafranowski).

Discussion:

This event is dated on the basis of the known time of Bishop Nicetius of Lyon's episcopal service. This period could be further shortened by applying the dates of Count Armentarius' office. PCBE provides the years 563-573 for his service without, however, citing the source of this data.

Place of event:

Region

Gaul

City

Lyon

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 Merovingiciarum 1.2, Hannoverae 1885 (repr. 1969), 661-744.

Translation:

Gregory of Tours, Life of the Fathers, trans. by E. James, Liverpool 1991.

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

PR68.

Ecclesiastical administration - Ecclesiastical envoy

PR68.

Conflict

PR68.

Relation with - Another presbyter

PR68.

Relation with - Bishop/Monastic superior

PR68.

Relation with - Secular authority

PR68.

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER66, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=66