E01019: Augustine of Hippo in his Confessions recalls the discovery in Milan (northern Italy) of the bodies of *Gervasius and Protasius (martyrs of Milan, S00313) by bishop Ambrose of Milan in 386. Written in Latin in Hippo Regius (North Africa), 397/400.

Augustine, Confessions 9.7.16

Tunc memorato antistiti tuo per uisum aperuisti, quo loco laterent martyrum corpora Protasii et Geruasii, quae per tot annos incorrupta in thesauro secreti tui reconderas, unde oportune promeres ad cohercendam rabiem femineam, sed regiam. Cum enim propalata et effossa digno cum honore transferrentur ad ambrosianam basilicam, non solum quos immundi uexabant spiritus confessis eisdem daemonibus sanabantur, uerum etiam quidam plures annos caecus ciuis ciuitati que notissimus, cum populi tumultuante laetitia causam quaesisset atque audisset, exiluit eo que se ut duceret suum ducem rogauit. Quo perductus impetrauit admitti, ut sudario tangeret feretrum pretiosae in conspectu tuo mortis sanctorum tuorum. Quod ubi fecit atque admouit oculis, confestim aperti sunt.

'Then Thou by a vision made known to Your renowned bishop [sc. Ambrose of Milan] the spot where lay the bodies of Gervasius and Protasius, the martyrs (whom You had in Your secret storehouse preserved uncorrupted for so many years), whence You might at the fitting time produce them to repress the feminine but royal fury. For when they were revealed and dug up and with due honour transferred to the Ambrosian Basilica, not only they who were troubled with unclean spirits (the demons confessing themselves) were healed, but a certain man also, who had been blind many years, a well-known citizen of that city, having asked and been told the reason of the people's tumultuous joy, rushed forth, asking his guide to lead him there. Arrived there, he begged to be permitted to touch with his handkerchief the bier of Your saints, whose death is precious in Your sight. When he had done this, and put it to his eyes, they were immediately opened. Thence did the fame spread; thence did Your praises burn, shine; thence was the mind of that enemy, though not yet enlarged to the wholeness of believing, restrained from the fury of persecuting.'

Text: Verheijen 1981. Translation: Pilkington 1887.