E06021: Constantius of Lyon, in his Life of *Germanus (bishop of Auxerre, ob. c. 448, S00455), written in Latin at Lyon (central Gaul) between c. 460 and c. 480, describes how Germanus healed the withered leg of the son of the British aristocrat Elafus, during his second visit to Britain (430s/440s).

Constantius of Lyon, Life of Germanus of Auxerre 26-7

For a full account of Constantius' Life of Germanus, see $E05841.

Constantius states that after the successful conclusion of his mission to Arles to obtain a tax remission for Auxerre ($E06045), Germanus paid another visit to Britain, after hearing that Pelagianism was again spreading there (§ 25).

Interea sinistri spiritus, peruolantes per totam insulam, Germanum uenire inuitis uaticinationibus nuntiabant, in tantum ut Elafus quidam regionis illius primus in occursum sanctorum sine ulla manifesti nuntii relatione properauerit, exhibens secum filium quem in ipso flore adulescentiae debilitas dolenda damnauerat. Erat enim arescentibus neruis, contracto poplite, cui per siccitatem cruris usus uestigii n negabatur. Hunc Elafium prouincia tota subsequitur; ueniunt sacerdotes, occurrit inscia multitudo, confestim benedictio et sermonis diuini doctrina profunditur. Recognoscit populum in ea qua reliquerat credulitate durantem, intellegunt, culpam esse paucorum, inquirunt auctores inuentosque condemnant.

Cum subito Elafus pedibus aduoluitur sacerdotum, offerens filium, cuius necessitatem aetas et debilitas etiam sine precibus allegabant. Fit communis omnium dolor, praecipue sacerdotum, qui conceptam misericordiam ad diuinam clementiam contulerunt. Statimque adulescentem beatus Germanus sedere conpellit, adtrectat poplitem debilitate curuatum et per tota infirmitatis spatia medicabilis dextra percurrit. Salubrem tactum sanitas festina subsequitur; ariditas sucum, nerui officia receperunt, et in conspectu omnium filio incolomitas, patri filius reformatur. Inplentur populi stupore miraculi, et in pectoribus omnium fides catholica inculcata firmatur.


'Meanwhile evil spirits, flying over the whole island, made known through the involuntary prophecies of their victims the coming of Germanus, with the result that a certain Elafus, the chief man of the locality, came hurrying to meet the holy men without having had any news of them through any regular messenger. He brought with him his son who had been crippled in early youth by a most grievous malady. His sinews had withered and the tendons of the knee had contracted and his withered leg made it impossible for him to stand on his feet. The whole province came along with Elafus. The bishops arrived and the crowds came upon them unexpectedly. At once blessings and the words of God were showered upon them. Germanus could see that the people as a whole had persevered in the faith in which he had left them and the bishops realised that the guilt was only of a few. They enquired after those responsible and when they were identified condemned them.

Suddenly Elafus fell on his knees before the bishops and presented to them his son, whose youth and helplessness made his need clear without words. Everyone felt acutely for him, the bishops most of all, and in their pity they had recourse to the mercy of God. The blessed Germanus at once made the boy sit down, then felt the bent knee and ran his healing hand over all the diseased parts. Health speedily followed the life-giving touch. What was withered became supple, the sinews resumed their proper work and, before the eyes of all, the son got back a sound body and the father got back a son. The crowds were overwhelmed by the miracle and the catholic faith implanted in them was strengthened in all of them.'


After this incident Constantius states that Germanus preached further in Britain, but does not give any details. His mission ends with the expulsion of the Pelagians from Britain, and he returns to Auxerre. For his next miracle, see $E06025.

Text: Borius 1965. Translation: Hoare 1954, adapted.