St Germanus of Paris (496-576) monk, bishop and healer
A monk at Autun in Burgundy
Born in 496 near Autun (a Roman city originally called Augustodunum
after the Emperor Augustus) in Burgundy and educated at
Avallon, Germanus became a monk early in life and after fifteen years
was ordained a priest.
The local bishop appointed him abbot of the
monastery of St Symphorien in Autun.
Frankish kings in Burgundy
At that time the
Frankish king Clovis (466-511), under the influence of his wife
Clotilde, had become Christian and established his capital in Paris.
From there he began to expand into Burgundy and towards the south-east
at the expense of the Visigoths.
It was Clovis's grandson Theodebert
(534-548) who eventually conquered Burgundy, but in accordance with a
prediction by Germanus, met an early death.
Germanus becomes bishop in Paris
When Clovis's
son Childebert I (496-558) became Frankish king of Paris, he invited
Germanus to a synod in Paris, at which the bishop there was deposed
and Germanus appointed in his place.
From then (555) on, Germanus had
great influence over King Childebert, who in turn supported Germanus in
building a cathedral (dedicated to St Stephen) and a monastery dedicated
to St Vincent and the Holy Cross.
Reputation for holiness and healing
Germanus had a
reputation for holiness and healing. He cured Childebert in body and
converted him from a licentious life. He had a special care for the
poor, for prisoners and for slaves.
Excommunicates Charibert
Charibert, who succeeded
Childebert, was not so favourable to the Church. He pillaged its
property and led a dissolute life.
He married two sisters at once, so
Germanus promptly excommunicated him.
Death and influence
When Germanus died in 576, he
was buried in the basilica he had built. Because of his reputation for
holiness and for miracles it was then called St Germain-des-Près ((St
Germanus-in-the-Fields).
His relics, which had a prominent place in the
church, were destroyed during the French Revolution.
Today the tomb of
philosopher René Descartes is located in one of the church's side
chapels.
The area around the church in Paris is famous for its literary,
artistic and student life.