Germanus of Auxerre, Saint

GERMANO di AUXERRE, santo. - Born at Auxerre around 378, died at Ravenna on July 31, 448. Of a noble and wealthy family, he completed his primary studies in Gaul,

and subsequently studied eloquence and law in Rome. He served as an advocate in the courts of a prefect (it is not known whether of the city or the praetorian), later becoming rector of a province, which was probably the Fourth of Lyon, to which Auxerre belonged. His election by the clergy and people, as in the case of St. Ambrose, forced him to leave political magistracies to assume the episcopate in his native city, around 418, after the death of Bishop Amatore.

He held the office for 30 years, leading a most austere life and acting as a proponent of the monastic movement. He was certainly in contact with the Lérins monks and with St. Hilary of Arles. He combated Pelagianism in England during two journeys he made there: one in 429, sent by Celestine I (he remained there until c. 431), and the other probably after 444, when the Saxons had already taken possession of part of the island. He also had some influence on the Church of Ireland, especially through the sending of St. Patrick to that island.

In addition to spiritual interests, he attended to the material ones of his diocese: in 435 he obtained a reduction of taxes from the prefect Auxiliaris; he saved Armorica from Alan invasions; and he traveled to Ravenna to see Galla Placidia and her son Valentinian III to obtain a pardon for an uprising by the Armoricans. It was on this occasion (448?) that he died in Ravenna, his body being later transported to Auxerre according to his wish. His relics were profaned and dispersed by the Huguenots in 1567. His cult spread rapidly and he is one of the most popular saints of France.