E05683: Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem about the cathedral of Nantes (north-west Gaul), newly built by bishop Felix, and dedicated to the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008), makes possible reference to relics of the two apostles and clear reference to relics of *Hilary (bishop of Poitiers, ob. 367, S00183) and *Ferreolus (soldier and martyr of Vienne, S01893); all in 567. Poem 3.7, written in Latin in Gaul, 565/576.

Venantius Fortunatus, Poems 3.7 (In honore eorum quorum ibi reliquiae continentur, 'In honour of those whose relics are contained there'), 17-18 and 51-58

This poem is part of a group of texts addressed to Felix, bishop of Nantes (Poems 3.4-10); it follows a poem (3.6) describing the dedication of the cathedral at Nantes which had been built by Felix. In this poem, the first part contains praise of Peter and Paul, the Apostles and patrons of the cathedral of Nantes. There follows a possible reference to relics of these Apostles being sent to Nantes from Rome:

Gallia, plaude libens, mittit tibi Roma salutem:               17
   fulgor apostolicus visitat Allobrogas.

'Gaul, rejoice with full heart, for Rome sends you salvation; the bright light of the Apostles has come to the Allobroges.'


Then Venantius describes the beauty of the church, stressing the light of the building and that of the relics it contains:

Dextera pars templi meritis praefulget Hilari,
   compare Martino consociante gradum.
Gallia sic proprios dum fudit ubique patronos,
   quos hic terra tegit, lumina mundus habet.
Altera Ferreoli pars est, qui vulnere ferri                      55
   munere martyrii gemma superba nitet.
Obtulit haec Felix, ut sit magis ipse sacerdos,
   Christe, tuum templum, qui tibi templa dedit.

'The right side of the building shines bright with the virtues of Hilary; Martin was his partner and his companion in rank. While Gaul in this way sends a flood of its patrons in every direction, the world wins as its lights those whom the earth here conceals. The other side holds Ferreolus, who by the stroke of a sword glistens as a glorious jewel in reward for his martyrdom. Felix made this offering so that he, your bishop, who gave you a temple, would himself thereby become your temple, Christ.'

Text: Leo 1881, 58. Translation: Roberts 2017, 147, 149 and 151.