File(s) not publicly available
E02756: Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Confessors (97), tells how *Avitus (abbot of Le Perche, ob. c. 525, S01307) was buried at Orléans (north-west Gaul), and a church built over his tomb; a man who went to work on the feast day of the saint was immediately punished with a twisted neck, but released after praying assiduously at the shrine. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 587/588.
online resource
posted on 2017-05-01, 00:00 authored by kwojtalikGregory of Tours, Glory of the Confessors 97
Avitus abba Carnoteni pagi, quem Pertensim vocant, saepius inminere dissolutionem sui corporis, Spiritu sancto revelante, praedixit. Qui recedens a corpore, honorifice apud Aurilianensim urbem humatus est; super quem fideles christiani eclesiam construxerunt. Post cuius obitum anniversarius adsumptionis eius dies cum summo coleretur honore, unus e civibus, aliis ad missarum spectanda solemnia euntibus, accepto rastro vineam pastinare direxit, increpitusque a multis, cur huic festivitati deesset, redire noluit, dicens: "Et hic quem colitis operarius fuit". Verum, ubi ingressus vineam primo ictu terram aperuit, protinus, retorta cervice, facies eius ad tergum conversa est. Tunc tremens, spectantibus populis, cum fletu magno basilicam sancti ingreditur. Post paucos vero dies, orans in eodem loco assidue, directa cervice, convaluit.
'Avitus was an abbot in a district of Chartres that people call Le Perche. Through the revelation of the Holy Spirit he often predicted the destruction of his body. When he departed from his body, he was buried with honor in Orléans. The faithful Christians built a church over his tomb. After his death the day commemorating the anniversary of his ascension was venerated with great honor. When the others went to the solemn celebration of mass one of the citizens took a hoe and went to trench his vineyard. Although many complained about why he was absent from this festival, he refused to return and said: ‘The man whom you venerate was also a working man.’ But when he entered the vineyard and opened the ground with his first blow, immediately his neck was twisted and his face was turned around to the back. The people were watching. Then he was afraid, and weeping loudly he went to the church of Saint Avitus. A few days later, after he prayed continuously in the same place, his neck was straightened and he was well.'
Text: Krusch 1969, 360-361. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 74.
Avitus abba Carnoteni pagi, quem Pertensim vocant, saepius inminere dissolutionem sui corporis, Spiritu sancto revelante, praedixit. Qui recedens a corpore, honorifice apud Aurilianensim urbem humatus est; super quem fideles christiani eclesiam construxerunt. Post cuius obitum anniversarius adsumptionis eius dies cum summo coleretur honore, unus e civibus, aliis ad missarum spectanda solemnia euntibus, accepto rastro vineam pastinare direxit, increpitusque a multis, cur huic festivitati deesset, redire noluit, dicens: "Et hic quem colitis operarius fuit". Verum, ubi ingressus vineam primo ictu terram aperuit, protinus, retorta cervice, facies eius ad tergum conversa est. Tunc tremens, spectantibus populis, cum fletu magno basilicam sancti ingreditur. Post paucos vero dies, orans in eodem loco assidue, directa cervice, convaluit.
'Avitus was an abbot in a district of Chartres that people call Le Perche. Through the revelation of the Holy Spirit he often predicted the destruction of his body. When he departed from his body, he was buried with honor in Orléans. The faithful Christians built a church over his tomb. After his death the day commemorating the anniversary of his ascension was venerated with great honor. When the others went to the solemn celebration of mass one of the citizens took a hoe and went to trench his vineyard. Although many complained about why he was absent from this festival, he refused to return and said: ‘The man whom you venerate was also a working man.’ But when he entered the vineyard and opened the ground with his first blow, immediately his neck was twisted and his face was turned around to the back. The people were watching. Then he was afraid, and weeping loudly he went to the church of Saint Avitus. A few days later, after he prayed continuously in the same place, his neck was straightened and he was well.'
Text: Krusch 1969, 360-361. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 74.
History
Evidence ID
E02756Saint Name
Avitus, abbot in Le Perche (central Gaul), ob. c. AD 525 : S01307Saint Name in Source
AvitusRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Other saint-related textsLanguage
LatinEvidence not before
587Evidence not after
588Activity not before
525Activity not after
588Place 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