E02452: Gregory of Tours, in his Glory of the Confessors (2), tells first of miracles at the tomb of *Hilary (bishop of Poitiers, ob. 367, S00183) in Poitiers (western Gaul); then how, in the territory of Javols (southern Gaul), a church with relics of Hilary was built by a bishop of Javols to serve as an alternative place of worship for those who used to sacrifice and feast at a nearby lake. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 587/588.

Gregory of Tours, Glory of the Confessors 2

Hilary of Poitiers performed many miracles at his tomb, which are recorded in the book of his Life. Two lepers are cleansed there.

Mons enim erat in Gabalitono territurio cognomento Helarius, lacum habens magnum. Ad quem certo tempore multitudo rusticorum, quasi libamina lacui illi exhibens, lenteamina proieciebat ac pannos, qui ad usum vestimenti virili praebentur; nonnulli lanae vellera, plurimi etiam formas casei ac cerae vel panis diversasque species, unusquisque iuxta vires suas, quae dinumerare perlongum puto. Veniebant autem cum plaustris potum cibumque deferentes, mactantes animalia et per triduum aepulantes. Quarta autem die cum discendere deberent, anticipabat eos tempestas [immensa] cum tonitruo et corruscatione valida; et in tantam imber ingens cum lapidibus violentiam discendebat, ut vix se quisque eorum putaret evadere. Sic fiebat per singulos annos, et involvebatur insipiens populus in errore. Post multa vero tempora quidam sacerdos ex urbe ipsa, episcopatu adsumpto, accessit ad locum, praedicavitque turbis, ut absisterent ab his, ne caelesti ira consumerentur; sed nequaquam eius praedicatio a cruda rusticitate recipiebatur. Tunc, inspirante Divinitate, sacerdos Dei basilicama in honore beati Helarii Pictovensis eminus ab ora stagni aedificavit, in qua [et] reliquias eius locavit, dicens populo: 'Nolite, filioli, nolite peccare ante Deum! Nulla est enim religio in stagnum. Nolite maculare animas vestras in his ritibus vanis, sed potius cognoscite Deum et amicis eius venerationem inpendite! Adorate autem sanctum Helarium Dei antestitem, cuius hic reliquiae sunt conditae! Ipse enim potest pro vobis Domini misericordiam intercessor adsistere. Tunc homines conpuncti corde, conversi sunt, et relinquentes lacum, omnia quae ibidem proiecere erant soliti ad sanctam basilicam conferebant; et sic ab errore, quo vincti fuerant, relaxati sunt. Sed et tempestas deinceps a loco illo prohibite est nec ultra in hac solemnitate, quae Dei erat, nocuit, postquam beati confessoris ibidem sunt reliquiae collocatae.

'In the territory of Javols there was a mountain named after Hilary (mons ... cognomento Helarius) that contained a large lake. At a fixed time a crowd of rustics went there and, as if offering libations to the lake, threw [into it] linen cloths and garments that served men as clothing. Some [threw] pelts of wool, many [threw] cheeses (formae casei), blocks of wax and bread-loaves as well as various [other] objects, each according to his own means, that I think would take too long to enumerate. They came with their wagons; they brought food and drink, sacrificed animals, and feasted for three days. But before they were due to leave on the fourth day, a violent storm approached them with thunder and lightning. The heavy rainfall and hailstones fell with such force that each person thought he would not escape. Every year this happened this way, but these foolish people were tied up in their mistake. Much later a cleric from that city [of Javols] became bishop and went to the place. He preached to the crowds that they should cease this behavior lest they be consumed by the wrath of heaven. But their coarse rusticity rejected his preaching. Then, with the inspiration of the Divinity this bishop of God built a church in honor of the blessed Hilary of Poitiers at a distance from the banks of the lake. He placed relics (reliquiae) of Hilary in the church and said to the people: 'Do not, my sons, do not sin before God! For there is [to be] no religious piety to a lake. Do not stain your hearts with these empty rituals, but rather acknowledge God and direct your devotion to his friends. Respect Saint Hilary, a bishop of God whose relics are located here. For he can serve as your intercessor [for] the mercy of the Lord.' The men were stung in their hearts and converted. They left the lake and brought everything they usually threw into it to the holy church. So they were freed from the mistake that had bound them. Next the storm was banned from the place. After the relics of the blessed confessor were placed there, the storm never again threatened this festival of God.'

Text: Krusch 1969, 299-300. Translation: Van Dam 2004, 3-4.