E02021: Gregory of Tours, in his Histories (2.6), Gregory of Tours describes the miraculous survival of an oratory in Metz (eastern Gaul) with relics of *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), when the city was burnt by the Huns in 451. In a vision, Stephen is seen seeking the help of the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008), to save the whole city, or at least his oratory. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 575/594.

Gregory of Tours, Histories (Historiae) 2.6

Igitur Chuni a Pannoniis egressi, ut quidam ferunt, in ipsa sanctae paschae vigilia ad Mettinsem urbem reliqua depopulando perveniunt, tradentes urbem incendium populum in ore gladii trucidantes ipsusque sacerdotes Domini ante sacrosancta altaria perimentes. Nec remansit in ea locus inustus praeter oraturium beati Stefani primi martyres ac levitae. De quo oraturio quae a quibusdam audivi narrare non distuli. Aiunt enim, quia, priusquam hi hostes venerent, vidisse virum fidelem in visu quasi conferentem cum sanctis apostolis Petro ac Paulo beatum levitam Stefanum de hoc excidio ac dicentem: 'Oro, domini mi, ut non permittatis obtentu vestro Mettensim urbem ab inimicis exuri, quia locus in ea est, in quo parvitatis meae pignera contenentur; sed potius sentiant se populi aliquid me posse cum Domino. Quod si tantum facinus populi supercrevit, ut aliut fieri non possit, nisi civitas tradatur incendio, saltim vel hoc oraturium non cremetur'. Cui ille aiunt: 'Vade in pace, dilectissime frater, oraturium tantum tuum caribit incendium! Pro urbe vero non obtinebimus, quia dominicae sanctionis super eam sententia iam processit. Invaluit enim peccatum populi, et clamor malitiae eorum ascendit coram Deo; ideo civitas haec cremabitur incendio'. Unde procul dubium est, quod horum obtentu, urbe vastata, oraturium permansit inlaesum.

'The Huns migrated from Pannonia and laid waste the countryside as they advanced. They came to the town of Metz, so people say, on Easter Eve. They burned the town to the ground, slaughtered the populace with the sharp edge of their swords and killed the priests of the Lord in front of their holy altars. No building in the town remained unburnt except the oratory (oraturium) of Saint Stephen, Levite and first martyr. I will now tell you the story of this oratory as I heard it from various people. They say that, before these enemies arrived, one of the faithful in a vision saw Saint Stephen the Levite discussing this destruction with the holy Apostles Peter and Paul. 'I beg you, masters,' said he, 'that by your intervention you prevent the town of Metz from being burnt down by the enemy, for there is a spot there in which the relics (pignera) of my own humble existence are preserved. If you do this you will make the people realize that I have some influence with the Lord. If the wickedness of the inhabitants is too great, and nothing can be done to protect the town from a holocaust, at least stop my oratory from being burnt.' 'Go in peace, most beloved brother,' answered the Apostles, 'for your oratory alone will escape the flames. As for the town, we can do nothing, for the judgement of God has already been passed on it. The evil-doing of the inhabitants has reached such a point that the clamour of their wickedness has already come to God’s ears. The town must therefore be burnt to the ground.' There is no possible doubt, then, that it was thanks to their intercession that, when the town was destroyed, the oratory remained unscathed.'

Text: Krusch and Levison 1951, 47-48. Translation: Thorpe 1974, 115-116.