Presbyters Uniwersytet Warszawski
ID
ER 73
John, a presbyter in Tours (Gaul), trades in Marseille. On his return to Tours, he visits the tomb of Saint Nicetius and witnesses a miracle, ca 590. Account of Gregory of Tours, "Life of the Fathers", Tours (Gaul), ca 590.
8.6
 
Iohannis autem presbiter noster, dum ab urbe Masiliensi eum commercio negotiationis suae rediret, ad huius sancti sepulchrum in oratione prosternitur; de qua consurgens, aspicit confractos conpedes disruptasque maculas catenarum, quae culpabilium vel adstrixerant colla vel suras adtriverant, et admiratus est; sed haec contemplatio non fuit miraculis vacua. Nam rediens ad nos presbiter, adserebat cum sacramento, tres coram se ibi caecos fuisse lumine redditos ac domui redisse salvatos.
 
(ed. Krusch 1885: 247)
8.6
 
John, our presbyter, returned from Marseille with the merchandise of his commerce, and fell down to pray at the tomb of the same saint [i.e. Nicetius]. Getting up, he saw the broken chains and shuttered fetters which had casped the necks or calves of criminals, and he was full of admiration. Even the moment of his contemplation was marked by miracles. Indeed, when he returned to us he affirmed by an oath that three blind people had recovered their sight in his presence, and returned home cured.
 
(trans. James 1991: 57, slightly altered by J. Szafranowski)

Discussion:

This story is presented directly after giving reference to Deacon Agiulf's visit to Rome in 590 (see [72]).

Place of event:

Region
  • Gaul
City
  • Lyon
  • Marseille
  • Tours

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. E. James, Liverpool 1991.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence
Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος
Economic status and activity - Buying & selling
Devotion - Veneration of saints and relics
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: J. Szafranowski, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER73, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=73