E07752: Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (4.5), describes how in 543 Clermont was protected from the plague by the prayers of *Gallus (bishop of Clermont, ob. 551, S00034); he mentions the Rogation processions led Gallus, which went to the church of *Julian (martyr of Brioude, S00035) at Brioude. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.

Gregory of Tours, Histories (Historiae) 4.5

Huius tempore cum lues illa quam inguinariam vocant per diversas regiones desaeviret et maxime tunc Arelatensim provinciam depopularet, sanctus Gallus non tantum pro se quantum pro populo suo trepidus erat. Cumque die noctuque Dominum deprecaretur, ut vivens plebem suam vastari non cernerit, per visum noctis apparuit ei angelus Domini, qui tam caesariem quam vestem in similitudinem nivis candidam efferebat, et ait ad eum: 'Bene enim facis, o sacerdos, quod sic Dominum pro populo tuo supplicas. Exaudita est enim oratia tua, et ecce eris cum populo tuo ab hac infirmitate liberatus, nullusque te vivente in regione ista ab hac strage deperiet. Nunc autem ne timeas; post octo vero annos time'. Unde manifestum fuit, transactis his annis eum a saeculo discessisse. Expergefactus autem et Deo gratias pro hac consolatione agens, quod eum per caelestem nuntium confortare dignatus est, rogationes illas instituit, ut media quadragesima psallendo ad basilicam beati Iuliani martyris itinere pedestri venirent. Sunt autem in hoc itinere quasi stadia 360. Tunc etiam in subita contemplatione parietes vel domorum vel ecclesiarum signari videbantur, unde a rusticis hic scriptos Thau vocabatur. Cum autem regiones illas, ut diximus, lues illa consumeret, ad civitatem Arvernam, sancti Galli intercedente oratione, non attigit. Unde ego non parvam censeo gratiam, qui hoc meruit, ut pastor positus oves suas devorari defendente Domino non videret.

'In Saint Gallus' time the plague raged in various parts of Gaul, causing great swellings in the groin. It was particularly bad in the province of Arles, and Saint Gallus was anxious not only for himself but more especially for his flock. He prayed to God night and day that he might not live to see his diocese decimated. One night the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a vision, with his hair and raiment as white as driven snow. "You do well, Lord Bishop," said the Angel, "to pray to God in this way for your people. Your prayer has been heard. As long as you live, you and your flock will be free of the plague and no one in this region will die because of it. At the moment you have, then, no need to be afraid; but when eight years have passed the time will really come for fear." It was clear from this that Saint Gallus would die eight years later. He awoke and returned thanks to God for giving him this reassurance and for having deigned to comfort him by sending a message from on high. Saint Gallus then instituted the Rogations for which all journeyed on foot in the middle of Lent to the church of Saint Julian the martyr, singing psalms as they went. The church is about 360 stadia from Clermont. Suddenly before men’s very eyes signs appeared on the walls of houses and churches. The inscription was recognized by the country-folk who saw it as a tau. As I have explained, the plague raged through other parts of Gaul, but thanks to the prayers of Saint Gallus it claimed no victims in Clermont. In my opinion it was no small grace which was able to bring it to pass that the shepherd who stayed to watch did not see his sheep devoured, because God preserved them.'


Text: Krusch and Levison 1951, 138. Translation: Thorpe 1974, 199-200, lightly adapted.