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E00378: Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Martyrs (8), tells how, during the construction of a church of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033) by the emperor Constantine (324-337), probably in Jerusalem, she appeared to the architect and told him how to raise the building's columns; her feast is also mentioned. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 580/594.
online resource
posted on 2015-04-13, 00:00 authored by kwojtalikGregory of Tours, Glory of the Martyrs 8
Maria vero gloriosa genetrix Christi ut ante partum ita virgo creditur et post partum, quae, ut supra diximus, angelicis choris canentibus, in paradiso, Domino praecedente, translata est. Cuius basilica ab imperatore Constantino admirabili opere fabricata renidet, ad quam adductae colummae, cum prae magnitudine levare non possint, eo quod esset circuitus earum sedecinum pedum, ac diebus singulis casso labore fatigarentur, apparuit artifici sancta virgo per visum, dicens: "Noli maestus esse; ego enim tibi ostendam, qualiter hae quaeant elevari columnae". Et ostendit ei, quae aptarentur machinae, qualiter suspenderentur trocleae atque funes, extenderentur officia, illud addens: "Coniunge tecum tres pueros de scolis, quorum hoc adiutorium possis explere". Quo cum ille evigilans quae praecepta fuerant coaptasset, vocatis tribus pueris ab scolis, erexit summa velocitate columnas. Praestitum est populis expectare miraculum admirandum, ut, quod multitudo virorum fortium levare nequiverant, tres pueruli absque virtute perfecti operis sublevarent. Huius festivitas sacra mediante mense undecimo caelebratur.
'The glorious Mary, Mother of Christ, is believed to have been a virgin after the birth [of Christ] just as before the birth. As I already mentioned, she was translated among a chorus of singing angels to Paradise, where the Lord had already gone. Her church was constructed by the emperor Constantine and shone forth as an impressive building. Columns were brought to it, but they could not be raised because of their size; the circumference of each was sixteen feet. Each day the workmen were worn out by their futile efforts, [until] the holy Virgin appeared to the architect in a vision and said: 'Do not despair. For I will show you how these columns can be raised.' Then she showed him what scaffolding was appropriate, how the pulleys were hung, and for what task the ropes were stretched. She added: 'Have with you three boys from the schools, [so that] you can complete the task with their assistance.' After the architect awoke and prepared what had been commanded, he summoned three boys from the schools and very quickly set up the columns. People had the opportunity to witness a wonderful miracle, because three boys, without the benefit of previous experience, raised what many strong men could not raise. The holy festival of Mary is celebrated in the middle of the eleventh month.'
Text: Krusch 1969, 43. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 9-10.
Maria vero gloriosa genetrix Christi ut ante partum ita virgo creditur et post partum, quae, ut supra diximus, angelicis choris canentibus, in paradiso, Domino praecedente, translata est. Cuius basilica ab imperatore Constantino admirabili opere fabricata renidet, ad quam adductae colummae, cum prae magnitudine levare non possint, eo quod esset circuitus earum sedecinum pedum, ac diebus singulis casso labore fatigarentur, apparuit artifici sancta virgo per visum, dicens: "Noli maestus esse; ego enim tibi ostendam, qualiter hae quaeant elevari columnae". Et ostendit ei, quae aptarentur machinae, qualiter suspenderentur trocleae atque funes, extenderentur officia, illud addens: "Coniunge tecum tres pueros de scolis, quorum hoc adiutorium possis explere". Quo cum ille evigilans quae praecepta fuerant coaptasset, vocatis tribus pueris ab scolis, erexit summa velocitate columnas. Praestitum est populis expectare miraculum admirandum, ut, quod multitudo virorum fortium levare nequiverant, tres pueruli absque virtute perfecti operis sublevarent. Huius festivitas sacra mediante mense undecimo caelebratur.
'The glorious Mary, Mother of Christ, is believed to have been a virgin after the birth [of Christ] just as before the birth. As I already mentioned, she was translated among a chorus of singing angels to Paradise, where the Lord had already gone. Her church was constructed by the emperor Constantine and shone forth as an impressive building. Columns were brought to it, but they could not be raised because of their size; the circumference of each was sixteen feet. Each day the workmen were worn out by their futile efforts, [until] the holy Virgin appeared to the architect in a vision and said: 'Do not despair. For I will show you how these columns can be raised.' Then she showed him what scaffolding was appropriate, how the pulleys were hung, and for what task the ropes were stretched. She added: 'Have with you three boys from the schools, [so that] you can complete the task with their assistance.' After the architect awoke and prepared what had been commanded, he summoned three boys from the schools and very quickly set up the columns. People had the opportunity to witness a wonderful miracle, because three boys, without the benefit of previous experience, raised what many strong men could not raise. The holy festival of Mary is celebrated in the middle of the eleventh month.'
Text: Krusch 1969, 43. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 9-10.
History
Evidence ID
E00378Saint Name
Mary, Mother of Christ : S00033Saint Name in Source
Maria, genetrix ChristiRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Collections of miracles Literary - Hagiographical - Other saint-related textsLanguage
- Latin
Evidence not before
583Evidence not after
593Activity not before
324Activity not after
337Place of Evidence - Region
Gaul and Frankish kingdomsPlace of Evidence - City, village, etc
ToursPlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Tours Tours Tours Toronica urbs Prisciniacensim vicus Pressigny Turonorum civitas Ceratensis vicus CéréMajor author/Major anonymous work
Gregory of ToursCult activities - Festivals
- Saint’s feast