Saint Germanus Bishop of Auxerre

From Governor to Bishop

Germanus belonged to the Gallo-Roman aristocracy of the late fourth century. After legal training at Arles and Lyon and the study of eloquence and civil law at Rome, he built a career as an advocate and then as one of the six dukes set over the Gallic provinces under the emperor. His path to the clergy is bound up with Bishop Amator: the tradition relates that Amator tonsured him against his will and ordained him, naming him as the future bishop. On Amator's death Germanus was elected by acclamation and consecrated on 7 July 418.

As bishop he reversed the manner of his earlier life. He gave away his property to the Church and to the poor, practised severe austerities, and is said to have lived with his wife as with a sister. He founded a monastery on the Yonne dedicated to Saints Cosmas and Damian.

The Missions to Britain

Around 429 an assembly of Gaulish bishops sent Germanus, together with Lupus, Bishop of Troyes, to Britain to oppose the spread of Pelagianism. At a public assembly Germanus debated the Pelagian clergy — described as conspicuous for their riches and brilliant dress — and prevailed by his rhetoric. The accounts attribute miracles to him on this journey, including the healing of a blind girl, the daughter of a man of tribunician rank. On the way to Britain he is also said to have encountered the young Saint Genevieve at Nanterre.

A second journey, placed by the sources in the mid 430s or mid 440s (and dated by one Orthodox account to 446), was undertaken to suppress a revival of Pelagianism and to promote the education of the clergy. During this visit he is said to have met Elafius, one of the leading men of the country, and to have healed his son.

Miracles & Traditions

Traditional Accounts: The most famous episode associated with Germanus is the 'Alleluia victory.' According to the tradition, during a raid by Pictish and Saxon attackers he led the Britons into a valley and directed them, at his signal, to take up the Paschal cry. When Germanus cried out 'Alleluia' three times and the multitude echoed him, the sudden sound and the appearance of the crowd threw the raiders into panic and they fled, so that the victory was won without bloodshed. The tradition locates this at Mold in North Wales. The sources likewise relate his healings in Britain — of a blind girl and of the son of Elafius — and his negotiations on behalf of Armorica.

Death & Relics

Germanus died at Ravenna, having travelled there to petition the Roman government for leniency toward the people of Armorica. The date of his death is uncertain and variously given between about 437 and 448; one Orthodox account places it on 31 July 448. His body was returned to Auxerre for burial. His tomb remains at the Abbey of Saint-Germain d'Auxerre, which preserves his memory and is associated with his name.