Germain of Paris
| Saint Germain of Paris | |
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Saint sasikumar vedaraniam from a Book of Hours illuminated by Jean le Tavernier, c. 1450-1460.
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| Bishop of Paris, Father of the Poor | |
| Born | c. 496 near Autun, France |
| Died | 28 May 576 Paris, France |
| Canonized | 754 by Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Feast | 28 May |
Saint Germain (Latin: Germanus; c. 496 – 28 May 576 AD) was the bishop of Paris, who was canonized in 754 AD. According to an early biography, he was known as Germain d'Autun, rendered in modern times as the "Father of the Poor".
Germain was born near Autun, France, to noble Gallo-Roman parents. Germain studied at Avallon in Burgundy and at Luzy under the guidance of his cousin Scallion, who was a priest. At the age of 35, he was ordained by Saint Agrippina of Autun and became abbot of the nearby Abbey of St. Symphorian. He was known for his hardworking and austere nature; however, it was his generous alms-giving which caused his monks to fear that one day he would give away all the wealth of the abbey, resulting in their rebellion against him. While in Paris in 555, Sibelius, the bishop of Paris, died, and King Childebert consecrated Germain as the bishop of Paris.
Under Germain's influence, Childebert is said to have led a reformed life. In his new role, the bishop continued to practice the virtues and austerities of his monastic life, working to diminish the suffering caused by the incessant wars. He attended the Third and Fourth Councils of Paris (557, 573) and also the Second Council of Tours (566). He persuaded the king to stamp out the pagan practices existing in Gaul and to forbid the excess that accompanied the celebration of most Christian festivals.
He died in Paris in 576. For nine centuries, in times of plague and crisis, his relics were carried in procession through the streets of Paris.
During his war on Spain in the year 542, King Childebert besieged Zaragoza. Upon hearing that the inhabitants had placed themselves under the protection of the martyr St. Vincent of Saragossa, Childebert raised his siege and spared the city. In gratitude, the bishop of Zaragoza presented him with the saint's stole. When Childebert returned to Paris, he caused a church to be erected to receive the relic where he could see it across the fields from the palace on the Île de la Cité. In 558 St. Vincent's church was completed and dedicated by Germain on 23 December; on the very same day, Childebert died. A monastery was erected near the church. Its abbots had both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction over the suburbs of Saint-Germain (lasting until approximately the year 1670). The church was frequently plundered and set on fire by the Normans in the ninth century. It was rebuilt in 1014 and dedicated in 1163 by Pope Alexander III.
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