E07553: Constantius of Lyon, in his Life of *Germanus (bishop of Auxerre, ob. c. 448, S00455), written in Latin at Lyon (central Gaul) between c. 460 and c. 480, describes how during his visit to Britain in 429, Germanus' injured foot was miraculously healed when he had a dream vision of an angel.

Constantius of Lyon, Life of Germanus of Auxerre 16

For a full account of Constantius' Life of Germanus, see $E05841.

This incident takes place in Britain, during Germanus' visit in 429, after he and his colleague Lupus of Troyes have defeated the British Pelagians and visited the shrine of St Alban at Verulamium. It follows immediately on Germanus' miraculous preservation from a fire (E06862): the 'poor man's hut' in the passage is the one saved from the fire by Germanus' presence.

Excubabat diebus ac noctibus ante tugurium pauperis turba sine numero, hi animas curare cupientes, hi corpora. Referri nequeunt, quae Christus operabatur in famulo qui uirtutes faciebat infirmus; et cum debilitati suae nihil remedii pateretur adhiberi, quadam nocte candentem niueis uestibus uidit sibi adesse personam, quae manu extensa iacentem uideretur adtollere eumque consistere firmis uestigiis imperabat. Post quam horam ita, fugatis doloribus, recepit pristinam sanitatem ut, die reddito, itineris laborem subiret intrepidus.

'Day and night a countless throng lay around the poor man's hut, some wanting healing for their souls, others for their bodies. It would be impossible to record all that Christ did through his servant, who exercised these powers when impotent himself. But, although he would allow no one to bring remedies for his own infirmity, one night he saw before him a shining figure in snow-white garments, which stretched out its hand to him as he lay there and raised him up, telling him to stand firmly on his feet. From that moment the pain left him and he so completely recovered his soundness of limb that, when day returned, he resumed the toil of his journeyings without a qualm.'

Following Germanus' recovery, he and Lupus return to Gaul: E05846.

Text: Borius 1965. Translation: Hoare 1954.