E02841: In the Life of *Severinus (hermit and monk in Noricum, ob. 482, S00848), the saint obtains relics of *John the Baptist (S00020), and perhaps dedicates a basilica to him, all at Favianis (on the upper Danube), between around 454 and 482. Account by Eugippius, written in Latin near Naples (southern Italy) in 511.

Eugippius, Life of Severinus 23

Igitur sanctissimus Severinus, dum in monasterio Favianis evangelium legeret, oratione suppleta consurgens scafam sibi iubet ilico praeparari et mirantibus ait: "Sit nomen domini benedictum: sanctuariis beatorum martyrum nos oportet occurrere". Nec mora, transmeato Danuvio inveniunt hominem considentem in ripa ulteriore fluminis ac multis eos precibus postulantem, ut ad servum dei, ad quem fama vulgante olim venire cuperet, duceretur. Mox itaque ei Christi famulo demonstrato suppliciter santi Iohannis Baptistae reliquias optulit multis apud se servatas temporibus. Quas dei servus debita veneratione suscipiens basilicam sancti Iohannis, sicut praedixerat, ultronea benedictione collatas sacravit officio sacerdotum.

‘One day St. Severin, reading the Gospel in his monastery at Favianis, after offering prayer, arose and ordered a boat to be made ready for him; when they wondered he said: “Blessed be the name of the Lord: we must go to meet the relics of the blessed martyrs.” They crossed the Danube without delay and found a man sitting on the opposite bank of the river, who asked them with many entreaties to be led to the servant of God, to whom, on account of his fame with all people, he had long wished to come. The servant of Christ was pointed out to him, and he humbly offered him relics of St. John Baptist, which he had kept with him for a long time. Receiving them with due reverence, brought together by a voluntary blessing, the servant of God consecrated the basilica of St John, as he had promised​, through the sacred service of priests.'

Text: Noll 1981, 88. Translation: Bieler-Krestan 1965, 80 (modified).